Anhar Kochneva: ‘Only Russia can help the President of Syria to kill the hydra of corruption’

A leak

Today the main event is the sudden decision of the Russian President to withdraw the main forces of the Russian Aerospace Forces from Syria.

About the suddenness of this decision: it was unexpected not for everyone. A few days before its announcement there had been information that such decision was whether adopted or was in the process of adopting in the Arabic-speaking social networks. Apparently, at some stage there was a leak to the press.

Last autumn was the same situation when here and there articles and news began to appear that Russia was increasing its military presence in Syria but for many years there had been only outdated in every respect base of logistics in Tartus and several military advisers.

The weather factor

Versions of why such decision was made are different. It seems to me that they took into consideration several factors. One of them is the weather. Although now in Syria it is unusually cool and it rain steady, it is expected the season of dust storms, to fight during which is, as they say, not everybody's cup of tea.

'About the suddenness of this decision: it was not completely unexpected for everyone.' Photo: voicesevas.ru

The area adjacent to the Mediterranean coast, where there are no deserts and dust storms are only in the form of residual waves from the Eastern regions of the country, is almost completely controlled by government forces. Active action is shifting to the South, to the border with Jordan, and to the East — to the Euphrates. It is the place of deserts, sand and nasty fine dust.

Achieved aims

On the other hand, declared by Russia goals during the special operation have really been achieved. According to official data, more than 400 settlements have been liberated from the militants, infrastructure has been destroyed, as well as ammunition depots of a number of illegal armed groups.

Many Syrians who found themselves on the other side of the barricades had the opportunity to lay down their arms and return to a normal peaceful life under an amnesty. Several oil wells around Palmyra have been liberated. Also, the ranks of militants have significantly thinned out, about 2 000 terrorists were liquidated who came from the ex-USSR.

As a result, the representatives of various political circles who for five years had been howling that there would be no negotiations sat down at the negotiating table.

Russia's support has not ceased

However, the cease of active military phase does not mean the end of support of Syria by Russia. Limited contingent remains, a part of aircrafts and helicopters, the other weaponry and technology delivered to Syria from Russia. The airbase near Latakia and the base in Tartus will be deleloped.

And the Russian satellites flying over Syria have not disappeared. Again, nothing prevents to return all aircrafts flown away from Syria to Russia back in couple of hours: a common passenger airplane can reach for 3.5 hours, the military one — about twice as fast. Well, the navy ships in the Caspian Sea and in the Mediterranean Sea not just sail for no reason.

The country of crushed possibilities

A new stage of the Syrian conflict solution begins – political, negotiation one. In my opinion, it can be successful only in one case: if the Russian Foreign Ministry will understand that they must help to organize in the country a genuine political and social reforms.

'The cease of active military phase does not mean the end of support of Syria by Russia.… The airbase near Latakia and the base in Tartus will be deleloped.' Photo: politikus.ru

One of my long-standing pals, a Syrian, once called his homeland the country of crushed abilities, implying that many talented young people are not able to serve their country due to the fact that the vacancies that could be of real use, are occupied by relatives of relatives of big wheels.

The result is an extremely inefficient bureaucracy and a stifling bureaucratic system, in which an inefficient worker cannot be dismissed because it will upset his influential relative. Sometimes to get a paper that they can sign in two minutes it takes months. Well, it is in that case if you have no money to stimulate the process.

The main problem — corruption

First rallies in Syria which started exactly 5 years ago and initially were held with demand for reforms rather than the resignation of the President.

To save people from corruption, from nepotism, from the authors of the unthinkable, sometimes false reports and impunity of some officials – it is what people asked that time. Now this issue has become even more urgent, since corruption has risen in the recent years in the country in full growth and will eat anything that dares to grow in the field of returning Syria to a peaceful life. I think, only Russia can help the President of Syria to kill the hydra of corruption.

Respect for the ophthalmologist

As for the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the respect for him by the Syrians is only growing. It is enough to mention the fact that military personnel – presidents of Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia – with lightning speed resigned after a very short time, the President of Iraq and leader of Libya were assassinated in the result of foreign invasion.

And the 'fragile' ophthalmologist has been ruling the country in conditions of unprecedented pressure for five years. Moreover, trying to preserve for the citizens of their country the accustomed way of life.