US House speaker sees no US ‘alliance’ with Russia in Syria
Amid concerns over Iran, Paul Ryan says Washington and Moscow share 'perhaps tactical symmetry for a convenient moment,' but no more
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — US House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday that he did not envision a “strategic alliance” with Russia in Syria as Washington looks to end the Islamic State group and curb Iran.
“I don’t see strategic alliance — perhaps tactical symmetry for a convenient moment, but not a strategic alliance,” the high-ranking Republican said during a public debate on a visit to Abu Dhabi.
“What matters most to us in Syria is defeating ISIS and preventing Iran from having a land bridge and Hezbollah a foothold,” he said, using an alternative acronym for IS.
“Question remains is that something Russia would embrace?”
Moscow has been flying a bombing campaign in Syria to support leader Bashar al-Assad since late 2015 that has shifted the nearly seven-year war dramatically in his favor.
The US — which has opposed Assad — is leading a coalition that has conducted a separate air campaign against IS in Iraq and Syria.
Onslaughts from forces backed by both Russia and the US have seen the jihadists’ cross-border “caliphate” reduced to a tiny rump territory in Syria.
Despite Moscow pushing for greater cooperation between the two sides, they have not publicly worked together and all they have come up with is a hotline to avoid clashes.
The US and its ally Israel are concerned about the influence of Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah that has battled alongside Assad’s forces in Syria in a de facto alliance with Moscow.
Key Assad backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey are currently pushing their own peace efforts to end the conflict.