Geopolitical Chess: A Comparison of U.S. and Russian Policies in Response to ISIS with Emphasis on the Syrian Crisis

Subject Areas : Political and International Researches Quarterly

Ali Akbarpour Almeh Joghi ^{1 *} , Mohammadreza Salehi vasigh ²

1 -
2 - Political Science, Faculty of Law, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2024-10-20 Accepted : 2024-12-30 Published : 2025-01-14

Keywords: Geopolitical Power, United States, Russia, ISIS, Smart Power.,

Abstract :

This research study examines a comparative analysis of the geopolitical strategies of the United States and the Russian Federation in response to the emergence and persistence of ISIS in the Middle East, particularly in Syria. Utilizing a theoretical framework of smart power and a descriptive-analytical methodology, the study demonstrates that the strategies of the two powers reflect their distinct priorities and interests in the region. The findings reveal that the U.S. approach has primarily focused on direct counter-terrorism efforts, including military operations, coalition-building with local forces, and providing logistical support to regional allies, with a particular emphasis on stabilization and post-ISIS reconstruction. In contrast, Russia’s strategy has been based on maintaining and expanding its geopolitical influence in the region, with a strong emphasis on supporting the Assad regime in Syria. Although Moscow has justified its intervention as a fight against terrorism, it has predominantly targeted Assad’s opposition groups. This research concludes that the differences in strategic objectives and geopolitical interests of the two powers have led to distinct approaches in addressing the phenomenon of ISIS. These findings may contribute to a deeper understanding of power dynamics in the Middle East and their implications for future policymaking in Iran.

References:

احمدی، حمید. (1400). سیاست و حکومت در خاورمیانه (غرب آسیا) و شمال آفریقا. تهران: نشر نی.
اکبری کریم‌آبادی، نورالدین. (1394). عوامل تغییر راهبرد آمریکا در قبال گروه تروریستی داعش. پایگاه تحلیلی-سیاسی راهبردی، 5 (4):
آذین، احمد؛ و سیف زاده، علی. (1394). بررسی زمینه‌های اجتماعی و سیاسی ظهور داعش در خاورمیانه. فصلنامه سیاست خارجی، 29 (4): 50-27.
ترابی، قاسم. (1390). وابستگی آمریکا به نفت خاورمیانه، نتایج و پیامدها. فصلنامه مطالعات منطقه‌ای، 13 (3): 60-29.
دهشیار، حسین؛ و کوه خیل، مجید. (1396). الگوی مقایسه کنش سیاسی و راهبردی آمریکا و روسیه در سوریه. جستارهای سیاسی معاصر، 8 (4): 177-151.
کوشکی، محمدصادق؛ و طاهری بزی، ابراهیم. (1394). حضور روسیه در خاورمیانه در دوره پوتین (احیای نفوذ روسیه در کشورهای زیر نفوذ اتحاد شوروی). مطالعات اوراسیای مرکزی، 8 (1): 62-43.
محمدزاده ابراهیمی، فرزاد؛ ملکی، محمدرضا؛ و امام‌جمعه زاده، سید جواد. (1395). سیاست خارجی آمریکا در پرتو راهبرد محور آسیایی دولت اوباما. مطالعات روابط بین‌الملل، 9 (33): 104-79.
مروتی، لیلا؛ قربانی شیخ‌نشین، ارسلان؛ و منوری، سیدعلی. (1401). روند مواجهه آمریکا و روسیه با تروریسم؛ از تقابل تا تعامل. سیاست جهانی، 11 (4): 288-259.
مقیمی راد، ابوالقاسم. (1403). تفاوت رویکرد روسیه و آمریکا در مقابله با افراط‌گرایی داعش در سوریه. هشتمین کنفرانس بین‌المللی مطالعات اجتماعی، حقوق و فرهنگ‌عامه، تهران.
نجات، سیدعلی. (1396). کالبدشکافی داعش. تهران: انتشارات ابرار معاصر تهران.
واحدپور، سید نورالدین؛ دیانت، محسن؛ و سهیلی نجف‌آبادی، سهیل. (1400). بررسی راهبرد سیاست خارجی روسیه در منطقه ژئوپلیتیک خاورمیانه در پرتو گسترش افراط‌گرایی دینی در قرن 21. فصلنامه جغرافیا و برنامه‌ریزی منطقه‌ای، 11 (45): 722-685.
هدایتی شهیدانی، مهدی؛ و ولادیمیرویچ پینکفتسف، رمان. (1394). الگوهای رفتاری امریکا و روسیه در مدیریت بحران‌های منطقه‌ای: مطالعه موردی بحران سوریه. پژوهش‌های راهبردی سیاست، 3 (12): 85-61.
Aleksashenko, S. (2015). A three-sided disaster: The American, Russian, and Iranian strategic triangle in Syria.
http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/order-from-chaos/posts/2015/10/16-us-russia-iran-syrian-interests-aleksashenko
Allison, R. (2013). Russia and Syria: explaining alignment with a regime in crisis. International Affairs, 89 (4): 795-823.
Arı, T. (2013). Uluslararası İlişkiler Teorileri: Çatışma, Hegemonya, İşbirliği. Bursa, MKM Yayıncılık. Barabandi, B. (2020). Home / Russia’s Moves in Former ISIS Territory in Syria. Russia’s Moves in Former ISIS Territory in Syria,
10 June. https://newlinesinstitute.org/strategic-competition/russia/russias-moves-in-former-isis-territory-in-syria/ Batyuk, V.I., & Morozov, Y.V. (2022). Politics and Strategy of the United States, the Russian Federation, and China in the
Middle East. Her. Russ. Acad. Sci, 92 (4): 321–330.
Brands, H., & Feaver, P. (2017). Trump and Terrorism: U.S. Strategy After ISIS. Foreign Affairs, 96 (2): 28-36.
Clancy, T. (2018). Theory of an Emerging-State Actor: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) Case. Systems, 6 (2): P. 7.
Cooper, H., & Michael, D. (2014). Obama to Send 1,500 More Troops to Assist Iraq. The New York Times (NYT), 7 November. Frankovich, N. (2017). Deposing Assad Could Hurt Syria’s Christians. Politics & Policy, 23 Jun. https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/syrian-civil-war-assad-christians-oppose-efforts-depose-him/
Friedman, G. (2014). Strategic Reversal: The United States, Iran, and the Middle East. Stratfor. 24 Nov. 2014. https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/strategic-reversal-united-states-iran-and-middle-east.
Fukutomi, M. (2024). Oil or geopolitical issues? : Quantitative rethinking of political instability in the Middle East and North Africa. GeoJournal, 89 (55), P. 3.

Gerges, F. A. (2016). ISIS: A History. Princeton University Press.
German, T. (2024). From cooperation to confrontation: US-Russia relations since 9/11. Int Polit, 61 (4): 567–586. Gorka, S., & Gorka, K. C. (2015). Yes, the ISIS threat to America is very real. http://nypost.com/2015/11/18/yes-the-isis-threat-to-america-is-very-real/
Ingram, H. J., Whiteside, C., & Winter, C. (2021). ISIS in Its Own Words: The History, Strategy and Ideology of the Islamic State. Book Reviews, 24 (1): 44-80.
Kabalan, M. (2015). Putine unexpected move in Syria: perspectives on Russia interventions in Syria. Belfer Center for science and international affairs.
Katz, M. N. (2016). Russian Intervention in the Syrian Civil War. Russian Analytical Digest, 190 (6): 2-5.
Landis, J. (2015). US in stupor, doesn't know what to do or even what it wants in Syria. https://www.rt.com/shows/sophieco/321020-syrian-peace-talk-conflict/

Lund, A. (2018). Syria’s Civil War: Government Victory or Frozen Conflict. FOI-R—4640—SE. Stockholm: FOI, P.P. 36-37. McKirdy, E., & Starr, B. (2016). Ash Carter: U.S. sending more troops to Iraq. CNN Politics, July 11.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/11/politics/ash-carter-baghdad/index.html
Mershaimer, J.J. (2014). The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. New York: Norton. Morozov, V., & Simons, G. (2019). Russia’s Public Diplomacy in the Middle East. In: Velikaya, A. and Simons, G. (eds). Russia’s Public Diplomacy: Evolution and Practice. London: Palgrave MacMillan.
Rampton, R. (2016). Obama sends more Special Forces to Syria in fight against IS. Reuters, April 26. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-syria-idUSKCN0XL0ZE.

Russell, M. (2018). Russia in the Middle East: From Sidelines to Centre Stage. European Parliamentary Research Service. Shengelia, G. (2014). Islamic extremism in former Soviet Countries. Case of Abu Omar Al Shishani (Tarkhan Batirashvili) and ISIL threats to Vladimir Putin.
Souleimanov, S., & Petrtylova, K. (2023). Russia's Policy toward the Islamic State. https://mepc.org/journal/russias-policy-toward-islamic-state

Stent, A. E. (2016). Putin's Power Play in Syria: How to Respond to Russia's Intervention. Foreign Affairs, 95 (1): 106-113. Steven, D.R. (2015). Obama: The Reluctant Realist. The Begin- Sadat Center, Mideast Security and Policy Studies No 113, Bar-Ilan University.
Strakes, J. E. (2019). The Arab Spring and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG): Analogies with the Arab State Crisis. In The World Community and the Arab Spring (pp. 325–354). Springer.
The White House. (2014). Remarks by President Obama in Address to the United Nations General Assembly. September 24. https://www.whitehouse.gov
Trenin, D. (2021). Russia in the Middle East: Moscow’s Objectives, Priorities, and Policy Drivers, Carnegie Moscow Center. https://carnegiemoscow.org/2016/04/05/russia-in-middle-east-moscow-s-objectives-priorities-and-policy-drivers-pub-63244. 10 October.
Wagner, C. (2005). From Hard Power to Soft Power? Ideas, Interaction, Institutions, and Images in India’s South Asia Policy. Heidelberg Papers in South Asian and Comparative Politics. Working Paper.
Wagner, J-P. (2021). The Effectiveness of Soft and Hard Power in Contemporary International Relations. E-International Relations. Available at: [Accessed 25 February 2021].
Wargas, R. (2015). Vladimir Putin’s Holy War [Press Release]. http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/issues/december-11th-2015/vladimir-putins-holy-war

Wilson III, E. J. (2008). Hard Power, Soft Power, Smart Power. ANNALS, AAPPS. Youns, Z. S. (2023). ISIS expansion in Iraq, a case study of Mosul vs Erbil and Kirkuk. Master in International Relations, Strategy and Security, School of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Neapolis University of Pafos.