S8 Ep122: Russia's Ambitions in Southern Syria and Israel's Strategic Calculus — Akmed Sharawari — FDD's Akmed Sharawari discusses Russian officers touring southern Syria, potentially returning to sta

Russia's Ambitions in Southern Syria and Israel's Strategic Calculus — Akmed Sharawari — FDD's Akmed Sharawari discusses Russian officers touring southern Syria, potentially returning to staff deconfliction checkpoints between Israel and Syria. Israel reportedly prefers a Russian presence, including bases in western Syria, as a counterbalance to Turkey's growing influence over Damascus. Sharawari argues Israel should not trust Russia given its history of enabling Iranian-backed actors like Hezbollah. Despite ongoing Israeli operations, Hezbollah's smuggling routes remain operationAL. 1960 NASSER IN DAMASCUS