Editor's note

The US missile strike on the al-Shayrat airbase is one of a series of recent watershed moments in the Syrian war. While the Americans have denied that the strike represents a change of policy towards Syria, the Russian reaction to move may well hold the key to Assad’s future.

But war will ultimately be won or lost on the ground. Harout Akdedian gives a survey of how things stand with the opposing forces in the country and notes that the US airstrike is more likely to reinforce the balance of power between the combating factions rather than represent a turning point.

Fabrice Rousselot

Global Editor

Top story

US Navy Office of Information

Will the US missile strike be the turning point in Syria's shifting war?

Harout Akdedian, Central European University

The question now is how recent critical changes will impact on-the-ground military strategy.

Politics + Society

Business + Economy

Environment + Energy