In Syria, there are only bad options
Moscow has a new military assistance program for Syria. One objective is to help keep Syrian dictator Bashar Assad in power. The other is to defeat the Islamic State.
The two goals are very closely related.
For four years, Assad has been engaged in a civil war against various rebel groups. Until the Islamic State took the field, he seemed to be doing well against them.
But Islamic State forces have taken vast swaths of territory away from the Syrian army. Clearly, they are the major threat to Assad. If they can be chased out of Syria, perhaps into Iraq, Assad may be able to deal with the remaining rebel groups on his own.
Moscow and Damascus have been linked strongly for decades, so it is no surprise Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants to help Assad. At present, the best way to do that is to help defeat the Islamic State.
Talks, which might lead to some collaboration between U.S. and Russian military leaders may not be a bad idea. This makes sense if for no other reason than to coordinate efforts against the Islamic State – as insignificant and unrealistic as the U.S. initiative has been – that could help defeat the terrorists.
It should be fully understood, however, that harming the Islamic State will almost certainly strengthen Assad.
Quite clearly that is a big part of Putin’s agenda. Helping Assad remain in power a bit longer is not an attractive option. Even so, it may be a better choice than letting IS continue to thrive.