This paper analyzes Russia’s foreign policy in the first quarter of the 21st century, with a focus on its involvement in the Syrian conflict and its resolution as a key vector in shaping Russia’s modern foreign policy strategy. The study argues that Russia’s engagement in Syria has been instrumental in securing its position within the contemporary international system. The purpose of the article is to examine the course pursued by Russia in Syria to establish a strong foothold in global affairs. The research employs an integrated approach, combining qualitative and statistical methods of analysis based on the empirical foundation of Russian foreign policy documents. The study begins by analyzing Russia’s priority national interests and their projection onto the country’s strategic objectives in Syria. Building on this analysis, it evaluates the dividends Russia has gained from its involvement in the conflict and its military operations in the Syrian Arab Republic. The author concludes that Syria has become a cornerstone of Russian foreign policy in the current era, particularly in the context of the Ukrainian conflict. Syria has served not only as a testing ground for Russian weaponry and military personnel in the fight against terrorist groups but also as a strategic platform for establishing a long-term presence in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. This, in turn, is seen as a mechanism for Russia to reassert its status as one of the leading powers in the emerging global order. The paper presents original research by offering a systematic analysis of Russia’s modern reactive foreign policy strategy, positioning Syria as a critical starting point for its implementation. Despite extensive scholarly attention to Russia’s involvement in the Syrian conflict, this study uniquely frames it within the broader context of Russia’s strategic recalibration in the international arena.
Russia; foreign policy; Syrian conflict; terrorism; conflict resolution; military operation; Ukraine.