VOA Russian: Will Russia lose its military bases in Syria?

This satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on Dec. 13, 2024, shows Russian S-400 air defense missile systems being assembled to depart from the Russian Hmeimim Air Base in Syria's western province of Latakia.

Two Russian military bases in Syria are crucial for Moscow's presence in the Mediterranean Sea and in Africa. VOA Russian speaks to a range of U.S. experts and officials to see if Russia has any chance of keeping its Syrian bases following the fall of its ally, Bashar al-Assad. Most experts, including Michael Rubin from the American Enterprise Institute, agree that Moscow is likely involved in fierce diplomatic negotiations right now to retain its presence in Syria.