Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama, met at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week, to debate the ongoing Syrian conflict. Russia has increased its military involvement in Syria, sending troops and advanced equipment to aid its ally, the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad. Washington, however, sees Assad as a brutal dictator, accusing him of war crimes against his own people. We explore the reasons for Russia’s intervention in Syria and its possible endgame, how this may affect Syria’s short and long term future, and the repercussions of Moscow’s moves on US foreign policy and Europe’s refugee crisis.

This is a report by Jason Lim.