Russia/Syria (MNN) — The world watches as a new kind of Syria emerges from the chaos after rebels ousted the regime of former president Bashar al-Assad. Yet, it’s impossible to talk about what has happened in Syria without addressing its relationship with Russia.
Eric Mock with Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) explains, “Years ago, Russia established itself really as a country of authority in the Middle East. While the US continues to stand with Israel, Russia was very close in its work with Syria, in fact, supporting the Assad regime that has been a brutal regime for a little more than 50 years.
Flag of Syria (Photo by Linus Schütz from Pixabay)
“Russia established bases there and has been kind of the protectorate for Syria. The relationship between Syria and Russia allowed them to control a portion of the petroleum market.”
In the fall of Syria, Russia failed to hinder rebel advancement like in years past. Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted asylum to Assad and his family.
Now, Moscow is negotiating with Syria’s new government leadership to keep at least two key Russian bases in Syria.
Mock points out the war in Ukraine has weakened Russia’s military strength on multiple fronts.
“For Russia to continue to maintain its aggressive offensive in Ukraine, it really had no capacity to defend Syria when the rebels began to take over. So as much as we’re watching the lightning-fast fall of Syria in the news, what you saw behind the scenes was an utter incapacity of Russia to do anything about it.”
It is a poignant reminder that, ultimately, it is the Lord who raises up and brings down kings and political leaders. Pray God’s will be done in the nations.
“In the middle of trying to decipher world events, I would challenge your listeners to be sure not to lose sight of the calling to advance the Gospel to all people,” Mock encourages.
“It’s very easy for us to be focused on things that are passing away, rather than focused on what God would have us do. So in the middle of all the chaos we see, fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith!”
Learn more about SGA’s ministry in Russia and Ukraine.
Header photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visits Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015. (By Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44378506)
