Mon Feb 03 07:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Russia Seeks to Secure Syrian Bases After Assad’s Fall
**DAMASCUS** – A high-level Russian delegation held crucial, albeit inconclusive, talks in Damascus last week, marking the first contact between Moscow and Syria’s new interim leadership since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The visit’s primary goal: securing the future of Russia’s military bases in Syria following the nearly 14-year civil war.
The delegation faced a challenging task, needing to negotiate with a Syrian government they had previously supported through extensive – and often controversial – military intervention. The talks with interim leader Ahmed al-Shara, who survived years of Russian airstrikes, ultimately ended without resolution, signaling the start of potentially lengthy negotiations over Russia’s post-war role in the country.
Analysts suggest that Syria’s new leadership is prioritizing pragmatism and de-escalation, seeking to secure legitimacy, aid, and security through strategic alliances. The meeting highlights the complex geopolitical maneuvering underway in the wake of the Syrian conflict, as global powers vie for influence in the reshaped Middle East. The outcome of these negotiations will significantly impact the region’s future.
First Piper 