'..The Russian logic of propping up a regime that actually fuels, rather than reduces, violent Islamic militancy can be challenged as contradictory..'<blockquote>'..Assad and Isis feed off each other. It is in Assad’s interests to make sure Syria is viewed – as is widely the case now in the west – as primarily a clash between him and violent extremist jihadism. And Isis is able to recruit because it claims to defend Sunni populations against the indiscriminate onslaught of Assad’s military.
The Russian logic of propping up a regime that actually fuels, rather than reduces, violent Islamic militancy can be challenged as contradictory. After all, Russia has domestic concerns with jihadism on its southern flanks..'
- Natalie Nougayrède,
The west must resist playing Putin’s game in Syria. That way calamity lies, September 18, 2015</blockquote>
'..ignoring regime bombardment of civilian areas is strengthening important aspects of the Salafi-jihadi narrative..'<blockquote>'The approach of attacking IS while ignoring regime bombardment of civilian areas is strengthening important aspects of the Salafi-jihadi narrative..
..
As described above, a U.S.-led effort to end aerial attacks in opposition-held areas.. (p. 26)
..
First, U.S. action to halt regime air attacks in the south could provide a model forincentivising a change of tack by the rebels’ state backers in the north .. a U.S. move to end regime aerial attacks in the south would send a more practical message of willingness to confront the regime if it means keeping out or pushing back Salafi-jihadis, its primary concern; if U.S. allies can help bring about a similar shift away from Salafi-jihadis in the northern balance of power, replicating the southern zone in the north would become a viable option. (p. 27)
..
..It would also send a useful signal that the cooperative relationship sought with Iran on nuclear matters should not be misinterpreted as the acceptance of a dominant role for Tehran in the region. (p. 29)
..
'..the U.S. must recognise that it cannot contain Salafijihadi flames while ignoring the regime’s role in stoking the fire .. Iran must recognise the unsustainable costs of upholding Assad’s rule through the expanding military intervention of its Revolutionary Guard Corps and proxies.
..
In southern Syria, the U.S. has an opportunity to build on a positive local trend whose reinforcement could strengthen alternatives to Salafi-jihadis while clarifying the incentives and constraints perceived by the conflict’s other external players..(p. 30).'
- Crisis Group,
New Approach in Southern Syria, September 2, 2015</blockquote>
Context<blockquote>
Reports: Reluctant Russian Soldiers Oppose 'Secret' Syria Mission, September 18, 2015
'Another war in Iraq won’t fix the disaster of the last'