Moscow saved Assad, but it has now become a hostage to the latter’s euphoria of victory and its refusal to be flexible in the political dialogue.

Russia can only achieve so much without a clear idea of what its interests in Libya are.

The collapse of the “Astana format” would jeopardize the conflict settlement system in Syria that Russia has spent so much time constructing.

If Syria becomes the setting for a clash between Washington and Tehran, it could be a major problem for Moscow.

Arab countries are being increasingly proactive in diversifying their connections. Moscow is making use of this to gain advantages.