Russia's use of non-state actors in the Syrian conflict

Abstract

Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict proved to be one element of a broader plan to gain a role as a major actor in the newly emerging international order. Russia's potential proved to be much weaker than other powers, so it needed to create specific tools and methods than its main competitors. The aim of this article was to analyze how Russia used non-state actors to build its position in Syria and in the international environment, and how these experiences might imply for the future.