The fall of the Assad regime constitutes a major blow to Russia’s foreign policy and prestige. Not least among the setbacks is the prospect of possibly having to swallow the loss of its only overseas naval base, located in the port of Tartus on Syria’s Mediterranean coast.
The fate of the base is not yet sealed. There can be little doubt that the Kremlin’s top diplomats will be working hard with the new rulers of Damascus to secure their only replenishment and repair station in the Mediterranean.
Yet, the departure of all Russian warships from the base last week indicates that the Russian navy has been overtaken by events. At this stage, the likely outcome is that Moscow’s long-term access to this base will be at least compromised.
