This document analyzes foreign involvement in Syria from a neo-realist perspective. It discusses the US and Russian interventions and their motivations, which included pursuing their own strategic interests, maintaining security, and countering each other's influence in the region. The civil war created a power vacuum that regional and global powers sought to fill. The US and Russia both aimed to control resources and alliances. While their actions were driven by self-interest in the anarchic system, liberal elements were also present in agreements and UN involvement.

1. A case study of foreign involvement
in the Syrian conflict in neo-realistic
perspective
Mehreen Ayub
PRESENTED BY:-

2. Case Study
In this case study I’m going to analyze:
Involvement of US and Russia in Syria as a power struggle
in the middle east region
Why had the United States and Russia a foreign interest in
Syria?
Relate Russian and US intervention in Syria with neo-realism
perspective

3. Theoretical Framework > Offensive Realism
Neo-classical realism is ideal for explaining the proxy wars
With strategic changes and proxy war, neorealism claims that
states do not act with a rational decision-making process that
they enter on their own. Their decisions are related to the
positions of the actors concerned and their competitors in the
system

4. Foreign Involvement in Syria:
The civil war in Syria, broke on 2011, is now evolved into a proxy war
where regional and global superpowers are pursuing their own
interests.
In Obama’s era, US launched the first air strike in Syria on
September 10, 2013.
On September 2015, Russia also launched air strikes against Syria,
the aim was to fight extremist groups.
A major factor of this involvement is power vacuum created by Arab
Spring in the Middle East.

6. US intervention in Syria in perspective of Neo-
realism
NATIONAL SECURITY
Russia’s interest in the Middle East is a threat for US and compelled to enhance
nation’s security. This is a primary example of self – help in anarchic system.
The US has shaped the Syrian security policy by arming YPG, another terrorist
organization, in the fight against ISIS.
Balance OF POWER
The US tried to balance its policies with the strategies of Russia as well as the
developments in the region.
Finally, the policy of US withdrawal and reducing costs paved the way for Russia.
Anarchy and balances in the international system strengthened the regime’s hand
 CONTROLLING RESOURCES
Controlling the oil resources is important as US does not aim to be in a relative
dependence with other countries in the region.

7. Russia’s intervention:
Russia’s direct military offense towards Syria was actually due to an
imposing security threat to Russia’s soft belly , alternative means, for
example diplomacy, would according to Moscow have been proven
useless.
Russia wanted to protect it’s military bases in Syria.
Alliance with Assad regime will provide more favors and power in
ME.
Like US Russia has also taken an interest in Syria's oil production.
Lastly Russia wanted to counter the power of US in region.

8. CONCLUSION
Regarding Russia it is definitely interesting to consider that the
balance of power, making allies and create bipolar world is its primary
motivation to intervene in Syria.
For the US, Iran has been an important factor greatly influencing their
interest in the Syria conflict.
Apparently, liberalistic view was more present during Obama era.
While Trump clearly expressed realistic thoughts,
The liberalistic elements are also present in foreign intervention of
Syria like infrastructure building, agreements and UN Security council
intervention.