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Publications
The Syrian Opposition’s Political Demands
December 29, 2015 - Genevieve CasagrandeKey Takeaway: The ongoing Vienna process will likely fail to end the Syrian Civil War because it does not provide adequate incentives to Syria’s powerful armed opposition factions to lay down arms. The Vienna process relies on agreements made between international powerbrokers independent from the demands of both pro- and anti-regime Syrian factions.
Russian Airstrikes in Syria: December 18 - 27, 2015
December 29, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/Russian%20Airstrikes%2027%20DEC-01_2.png?itok=SZvWtBQ2)
Iraqi Security Forces Clear Ramadi’s Government Center
December 28, 2015 - Patrick Martin![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/Ramadi%20Control%20Map%202015-12-28%20high_2.png?itok=G5Qem3cD)
The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) reportedly recaptured the government complex in central Ramadi on December 28 after clearing ISIS-held areas south of the complex on December 26 and 27.
Russian Airstrikes in Syria: December 18 - 27, 2015
December 27, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/Russian%20Airstrikes%2018-27%20DEC-01_1.png?itok=bHBdJWZ9)
Russian Airstrikes in Syria: December 18 - 27, 2015
December 27, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/Russian%20Airstrikes%2018-27%20DEC-01_11.png?itok=hLKTAdMZ)
Control of Terrain in Syria: December 23, 2015
December 23, 2015 - Chris Kozak![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/Syria%20Blobby%20Control%20Map%2022%20DEC%2015_low-01_0.png?itok=3cU6I7WX)
Russian Airstrikes in Syria: December 13 - 21, 2015
December 23, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/Russian%20Airstrikes%2013-21%20DEC%20%285%29_8.jpg?itok=4F4R0KOE)
Russia Security Update: December 15-22, 2015
December 22, 2015 - Hugo Spaulding![](https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumb-wide/public/Russia%20Security%20Update%2022%20DEC_%20h-01_0_3.png?itok=lxoGeh8e)
Russian military intervention in Syria has forced the West to negotiate on the Kremlin’s terms, granting Moscow greater freedom of action to challenge and destabilize its adversaries. President Barack Obama reaffirmed the concession of the U.S.’s demand for a Syrian postwar government without Assad and his regime, a policy shift Secretary of State John Kerry previously expressed during his December 15 visit to Moscow. President Obama called for a Syrian political settlement that would build a “bridge” to Moscow and Tehran by respecting their interests.