There are a multitude of foreign states involved in the conflict. Each has different reasons for their involvement based upon a variety of geopolitical and domestic concerns. This guide will merely provide a simple explanation of what these states are doing in Syria with links to reports and articles with far more detailed information.

• Russia
  • ​Russia supports the al-Assad government.
  • The Russian military has launched air strikes against the enemies of the regime and has provided support for the al-Assad government.
  • ​Resources on Russian Involvement in Syria
    • Washington Institute's "Putin's Middle East Policy: Causes and Consequences" (Mar. 2016)
    • The Royal United Services Institute's "Detailing Russian Forces in Syria" (Nov. 2015)
    • Center for Strategic & International Studies's "Russia in Syria: Hybrid Political Warfare" (Sept. 2015)
    • United States Institute of Peace's explanation of Russian and Iranian support for the al-Assad regime (Aug. 2016)
• Iran
  • ​Iran supports the al-Assad government.
  • Iranian backed militias, and members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, have fought in Syria against the enemies of the al-Assad government.
  • Resources on Iranian Involvement in Syria
    • The Royal United Services Institute's "Understanding Iran's Role in the Syrian Conflict" (Aug. 2016)
    • The Institute for the Study of War's "Iranian Strategy in Syria" (May 2013)
• The United States
  • ​US policy is primarily concerned with the removal of ISIS.
  • Under President Obama, official policy American policy has been that Bashar al-Assad must go.
  • The US has provided material and training to some Syrian opposition groups.
  • ​Resources on American Involvement in Syria
    • The Institute for the Study of War's "America's Way Ahead in Syria" (Mar. 2017)
    • Congressional Research Service's "The Islamic State and U.S. Policy" (Feb. 2017 - PDF)
    • Congressional Research Service's "Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response" (Sept. 2016 - PDF)
    • Center for Strategic & International Studies's "U.S. Strategy and the War in Iraq and Syria" (May 2016)
    • Center for Strategic & International Studies's "Creeping Incrementalism: U.S. Strategy in Iraq and Syria from 2011 to 2015" (Nov. 2015)
    • The US Department of Defense's page on "Operation Inherent Resolve"
    • WhiteHouse.gov (Syria) - Information on the U.S. Executive Branch's position on Syria
• Turkey
  • Turkey initially called for al-Assad to go, but has recently made steps towards aligning with the Russian/Iranian alliance in an effort to defeat the jihadist opposition and the Kurds.
  • ​Resources on Turkish Involvement in Syria
    • Council on Foreign Relations - "Reconciling U.S.-Turkish Interests in Northern Syria" (Feb. 2017)
    • The Atlantic's "What Are Turkey and Russia Doing in Syria?" (Dec. 2016)
    • Stratfor's "What the Restored Turkey-Russia Relationship Means for the Middle East" (Aug. 2016)
    • ​Foreign Affairs's "Turkey's Evolving Syria Strategy" (Feb. 2015)
    • Brookings Institution's "Turkey’s Strategic Vision and Syria" (Aug. 2012)
• France
  • France​ opposes the al-Assad regime and has supported various oppositional groups.
  • They has launched air strikes in Syria and Iraq against ISIS; these increased significantly after terrorist attacks in France.
  • ​Resources on French Involvement in Syria
    • The Washington Post's "Why France is so deeply entangled in Syria" (Nov. 2015)
    • The Atlantic's "What Is France Doing in Syria?" (Nov. 2015)
• The United Kingdom
  • ​Britain opposes the al-Assad regime and has supported various oppositional groups.
  • The UK has launched air strikes in Syria and Iraq against ISIS.
  • ​Resources on British Involvement in Syria
    • House of Commons Briefing Paper - "ISIS/Daesh: the military response in Iraq and Syria" (Nov. 2016) 
    • House of Commons Select Committee - "UK military operations in Syria and Iraq inquiry" (Sept. 2016)
    • House of Commons Briefing Paper - "Iraq and Syria Update October 2016"
    • ​House of Commons Briefing Paper - "Syria: A Reading List" (Nov. 2015)
    • Gov.uk's "Daesh: UK government response"
• Jordan
  • ​Resources on Jordanian Involvement in Syria
    • See the section titled "The Islamic State, Syria, and Jordan’s Security Concerns" in the Congressional Research Service's Report on Jordan (Jan. 2016 - PDF)
    • Carnegie Middle East Center's "Defense in Depth: Jordan Eyes Increased Involvement as Borders Crumble" (Apr. 2015)
    • RAND Corporation's "From Negative to Positive Stability: How the Syrian Refugee Crisis Can Improve Jordan's Outlook" (Nov. 2015)
    • The New York Times's "Warily, Jordan Assists Rebels in Syrian War" (Apr. 2014)
    • European Council on Foreign Relations's "Syria: the View from Jordan" (June 2013)

• Saudi Arabia
  • ​The Saudi government is fearful of Iran's growing influence in the region and has consistently called for the removal of their ally, al-Assad.
  • They have provided support for various oppositional groups.
  • Resources on Saudi Involvement in Syria
    • US News and World Report - "Allies Saudi Arabia, Egypt in rare public spat over Syria" (Oct. 2016)
    • Der Spiegel's Interview with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on the Topic of Syria (Feb. 2016)
    • Washington Post - "Concerns in Saudi Arabia over signs of more military involvement in Syria" (Feb. 2016)
    • New York Times - "U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels" (Jan. 2016)
• Germany
  • ​Resources on German Involvement in Syria
    • Washington Post - "Germany sees no future for Assad despite military gains" (Jan. 2017)
    • NBC News - "Germany Votes to Join U.S.-Led Fight Against ISIS in Syria" (Dec. 2015)
• Israel
  • Resources on Israeli Involvement in Syria
    • RAND Corporation's "Israel's Interests and Options in Syria" (Jul. 2016)