This article analyzes the Russian military presence in Syria after the change of power in December 2024. It examines a set of political and practical factors that determine Moscow's interaction with the authorities in Damascus in the new geopolitical reality. The impact of the Islamist opposition coming to power on the change in the configuration of the functioning of Russian military facilities in Tartus and Latakia in particular and on Russian-Syrian cooperation in general is analyzed. The importance of Russia's support to the new Syrian government aimed at overcoming the consequences of the civil war and stabilizing the situation in connection with the regional competition of Middle Eastern actors is emphasized. Particular attention is paid to changes in Russian military strategy and tactics that have occurred since 2024, as well as the role of bases in strengthening defense capability and ensuring Russia's national interests in the Middle East and Africa. The study is based on a comprehensive analysis of military and political factors using systematic and comparative-historical approaches, as well as analysis of information messages in Russian, English and Arabic. The scientific novelty of the work lies in a comprehensive review of Russian-Syrian relations after the change of power in Damascus and in the identification of trends in the diversification of the new leadership's ties with the outside world. For the first time it is shown in detail how Russia's military presence in Syria has changed after the fall of Assad's regime. It is concluded that the interaction between the two countries contributes to the preservation of Russia's military presence while reorienting the bases in Tartus and Latakia to solve logistical and humanitarian problems. It is emphasized that Russian-Syrian cooperation in the changed geopolitical reality has the potential for sustainable development, provided that the parties take into account mutual interests and the specifics of the regional balance of power, which is influenced by the competition of regional and extra-regional players.
Anton Gennadievich Mardasov (Thu,) studied this question.