Russia’s intervention in Syria has introduced a dangerous new dynamic into an already volatile and complex conflict. Rather than advancing its self-proclaimed objective of fighting terrorism, many more Russian strikes have targeted moderate rebels — “vetted” and supported by the United States — as well as other expressly Syrian opposition groups backed variously by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.
Moscow’s jets have also been involved in various provocative acts: violating Turkish airspace twice (on October 3 and 4); initiating an anti-aircraft radar-lock on Turkish F-16 jets on October 5; and tailing an American jet on October 6, almost certainly to …read more
Source: Brookings