Russian Response to Syrian Crisis: A Neorealist Perspective

Abstract

This research aims to study the causes of military intervention of Russia into the Syrian crisis from the perspective of neorealism. Neorealism suggests that great powers are very careful about their structural position in an anarchic international system. This theory opines that self-help is the only rational behaviour of a state for its survival in anarchy. This study found that Russia has larger strategic and economic interests in Syria, particularly the fall of Assad’s regime could be detrimental to Moscow, which could threaten its position in international system. The protection of the Russian Tartus naval facility in Syria, sale of weapons, energy interests and a shield against Qatar gas pipeline in Syria are considered as a larger economic interest of Russia in Syria. The research will discuss Russia’s strategic and economic interests, which are directly related to its global position, by applying neorealism theory of international relations.