Russian presence puts Syria in stronger position: Allen Roland

Russian presence puts Syria in stronger position: Allen Roland

Sun Jun 9, 2013 12:15PM GMT

4

322

 

10

 

Interview with Allen Roland

Download | Embed

The Russian presence in there will be a formidable and a continuing presence that puts Syria in a far stronger position. I don’t see troops on the ground at all."

Related Viewpoints:

• ‘Russian arms defend Syria’

Press TV has conducted an interview with Allen Roland, online political columnist from Sonoma, California on Syrian developments.

The following is an approximate transcript of the interview. 

Press TV: Just how fruitful do you think the Geneva talks will be because it seems the Syrian opposition has been asking for more weapons. 

Roland: It is almost laughable, this is a giant chess game between the big boys, Israel [and]the West. However, the Russian gambit has been played. 

Israel overplayed its hand with its bunker buster mini-nuke attack, a bunker buster attack and that gave Russia the opportunity to come in to the fray here. The Russian gambit, everything has changed with the Russians on board and particularly in the Mediterranean because the Russians are now in a position to arm Syria particularly with their wonderful anti-missile system.

So, guess what the West is backing off, there is no more supplies to the so-called rebels and of course they are now trying to give peace talks. And of course [Syrian President Bashar] Assad has got a much stronger hand right now. 

I don’t think there is going to be regime change in Syria, for one reason and one reason only - the Russians are in there and they are in there to stay. 

Press TV: Let’s talk about Turkey’s role in the Syrian situation. Some say that Turkey once attacked as a catalyst to overthrow Bashar Assad, but it seems that the bullet has ricocheted and is hitting everything hard to the brink of collapse, what do you think? 

Roland: I think Turkey basically has been hit by the ricochet also. The big factor here right now and don’t underestimate it, is Russia. That means this, Syria. Syria and Russia have an alliance that means Iran. It’s still got its protector there of both Russia and Syria. 

Turkey has got its own problems as you can see on the streets, so that bullet ricocheted. 

Right now it is basically looking very good for Assad, I don’t see regime change in the near future at all and as a matter of fact I see a containing Russian presence in Syria. 

Press TV: How likely is it that we will see foreign forces on the ground in Syria, be it Syria’s friends or enemies? 

Roland: Well, the West is not about to put its forces on the ground particularly with the Russian presence in the Mediterranean. 

No, everyone is backing off; particularly the Israelis are backing off. Don’t underestimate, once again for the third time, the Russian gambit. 

The Russian presence in there will be a formidable and a continuing presence that puts Syria in a far stronger position. I don’t see troops on the ground at all. 

GVN/HGH 

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/06/09/307984/no-regime-change-in-syria-future-analyst/