Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (in front of flag) discuss the situation in Syria during a meeting in Sochi. As Russia's commitments in Syria grow, it might encounter more hiccups along the way.
Just over four years after the Russian military intervention in Syria began , Moscow continues to enjoy the diplomatic, commercial and military rewards of its operations in the Levant. By driving a wedge between its NATO foes, testing out new weaponry and more, Russia has notched up a number of strategic and tactical successes in Syria. These gains notwithstanding, it's not all clear sailing for Moscow ahead: From greater exposure to militant attacks to the prospect that Russia will suffer collateral damage in regional power battles, there are plenty of risks ahead for Moscow. Getting a Bang for Its Buck One of Russia's most notable achievements in Syria has been the outsized gains it has attained at a comparatively low cost.
