French historian Thomas Flichy de la Neuville, professor of International relations in Saint-Cyr's military academy and researcher in the Roland Mousnier Centre calls attention to the fact that there is no such thing as "moderate opposition" in Syria, if there was any it would have been nevertheless suppressed by radicals.
"Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict is not aimed at strengthening the regime of Bashar al-Assad. It is a part of a clear diplomatic strategy which envisages the eradication of the Islamic State, or at least its containment. In order to halt ISIL's advance Russia can count only upon the Islamic State's deadly enemies, such as Iran and Syria. I believe that one should not muddle Syria's domestic issues with Russia's geopolitical objectives," Neuville told Sputnik.
"The only politician, who is able to form a national unity government, is Bashar al-Assad," the professor emphasized.
In contrast, the "pseudo-leadership" which is dying to replace the present Syrian government has no influence on the current situation in the country, Neuville elaborated, adding that those who talk about the necessity of a regime change in Syria are missing the point.
According to Neuville, the powers which are currently playing the first fiddle in the Middle Eastern region are likely to sustain their status quo.
"If we compare Russia's [counter-terror] operation with its dozens of strikes per week with one strike a week carried out by France, it is easy to guess who will preserve its influence in the region," the academic remarked.
Neuville dismissed the assumption that the so-called "moderate" rebels constitute an anti-Assad opposition.
"There is no moderate opposition [in Syria]," he explained, "If there was any it would have been suppressed by Islamists long ago; its [opposition's] political goals are as violent as those of the Islamic State."
