The Heritage Foundation examined the factors playing out in the civil war in Syria, and the political strategy Russia is pursuing in its support of Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad.
Speakers debated the argument that Russia's support of Al-Assad with arms and diplomatic protection represents a Middle East policy designed to weaken U.S. and European influence in the region.
Panelists included: Stephen Blank of the U.S. Army War College; Ariel Cohen of the Heritage Foundation; Robert Freedman of Johns Hopkins University; and James Phillips of the Heritage Foundation.
Steven Bucci, senior research fellow in defense and homeland security at the Heritage Foundation, moderated the discussion.