Will Putin save Syria’s Assad?
Russian intervention in Syria is taking the civil war in a new and uncertain direction.
The Kremlin says Russian airstrikes in Syria are targeting well known armed organisations, not only the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Syrian opposition groups say they are the ones being targeted.
President Vladimir Putin has denied reports that civilians have been killed.
The real motives behind Moscow’s intervention is being questioned; Saudi Arabia is demanding Moscow ends the attacks.
So, what difference will Russian involvement make?
And can Putin succeed where others did not?
Presenter: Martine Dennis
Guests:
Richard Murphy, former US ambassador to Syria.
Elias Hanna, Lecturer in politics at the American University of Beirut and retired Lebanese general.
Alexei Pankin, Russian political analyst and columnist.