Changes

Mulroy told Foreign Policy that Russia was bolstering its position in the Middle East and viewed Syria as the center of its approach because it presents them with many opportunities, including re-establishing great power status in the region and improving its military capabilities.<ref name="auto4" /> He added that part of this approach has led to Russia establishing a naval facility at the Syrian port city of Tartus and a separate coastal airbase.<ref name="auto7">{{cite web |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/09/us-call-russia-cease-idlib-fight-syria-strikes.html |title=US calls on Russia to cease Idlib fight amid terror strikes |last=Detsch |first=Jack |date=September 3, 2019 |website=Al-Monitor}}</ref>

Mulroy told Foreign Policy that Russia was bolstering its position in the Middle East and viewed Syria as the center of its approach because it presents them with many opportunities, including re-establishing great power status in the region and improving its military capabilities.<ref name="auto4" /> He added that part of this approach has led to Russia establishing a naval facility at the Syrian port city of Tartus and a separate coastal airbase.<ref name="auto7">{{cite web |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/09/us-call-russia-cease-idlib-fight-syria-strikes.html |title=US calls on Russia to cease Idlib fight amid terror strikes |last=Detsch |first=Jack |date=September 3, 2019 |website=Al-Monitor}}</ref>

In October 2018, Turkey and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Idlib, the last rebel-held territory in Syria. The agreement was supposed to provide for a ceasefire and protect the three million people living in the province. However, Syria violated the ceasefire and caused a humanitarian catastrophe. Mulroy said that Russia believes they thrive in chaos. Therefore, they create it.<ref name="auto4" /> He also warned against the potential of extensive collateral damage in a possible Russian-led siege against Idlib, similar to what occurred in Aleppo three years ago.<ref name="auto7" />

In October 2018, Turkey and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Idlib, the last rebel-held territory in Syria. The agreement was supposed to provide for a [[ceasefire]] and protect the three million people living in the province. However, Syria violated the ceasefire and caused a humanitarian catastrophe. Mulroy said that Russia believes they thrive in chaos. Therefore, they create it.<ref name="auto4" /> He also warned against the potential of extensive collateral damage in a possible Russian-led siege against Idlib, similar to what occurred in Aleppo three years ago.<ref name="auto7" />

In an article in the Middle East Institute, Mulroy said there was an effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide authority and funding for the DoD to conduct partner force operations against Russia. This effort was under Section 1202 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but it was confined to the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) theatre and not authorized in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) theatre, which includes the Middle East. He explained that although the European theater is important, countering Russian expansion should not be limited by geography, and the U.S. needs to meet Russia in all areas with the authorities and resources to compete with them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/russias-middle-east-you-probe-bayonets-if-you-find-mush-you-proceed|title=Russia's Middle East: You probe with bayonets. If you find mush, you proceed ...|website=Middle East Institute|accessdate=August 11, 2020}}</ref>

In an article in the Middle East Institute, Mulroy said there was an effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide authority and funding for the DoD to conduct partner force operations against Russia. This effort was under Section 1202 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but it was confined to the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) theatre and not authorized in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) theatre, which includes the Middle East. He explained that although the European theater is important, countering Russian expansion should not be limited by geography, and the U.S. needs to meet Russia in all areas with the authorities and resources to compete with them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/russias-middle-east-you-probe-bayonets-if-you-find-mush-you-proceed|title=Russia's Middle East: You probe with bayonets. If you find mush, you proceed ...|website=Middle East Institute|accessdate=August 11, 2020}}</ref>