In 1774, in the Treaty of Kucuk Kaynarca, the Russians assumed the role of protector of Orthodox Christians in the Ottoman Empire. Russian interest in Christian minorities in the Middle East continues to this day as Moscow frets over their future. These concerns, however, could provide the West and Moscow with a way to resolve the Syrian crisis.
The Russians have been adamant in blocking any type of punitive UN Security Council action against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has forcefully accused the Russians of complicity in the massacres in Syria as the regime’s all-out assault on civilians continues. Syria is on the verge of full-scale sectarian civil war between the majority Sunni population and minority Alawites, who control the reins of power.
