As Turkey downs a Russian warplane, HJS’s experts have been speaking about the breaking news story to the media, as well as our recent report on Russian air and sea incursions.
Executive Director Dr Alan Mendoza says: “The situation in Turkey illustrates what should have been obvious to Western policymakers for some time: that Russia’s presence in Syria is a hindrance rather than help to bringing peace to the region.
“Russia’s aggressive posture is designed to further it’s own interests rather than act as a coalition support, and this has brought us to the brink of a NATO-Russia conflict. Russia must cease and desist with its violations of NATO airspace and decide whether it is to be a more responsible international actor or continue on its destructive path.”