Russian President Vladimir Putin can indeed credit himself with an important military accomplishment after transferring control of most of Syria’s territory to Syrian President Bashar Assad, but it seems this diplomatic minefield is presenting new and unexpected challenges for him that could erode the military achievements.

The diplomatic plan Russia drew up looks, on its face, to be orderly and logical. According to the plan, Russia was already meant to be withdrawing some of its forces from Syria; resolving the question of dismantling the rebel forces in Idlib province through diplomatic means, primarily through Turkey; convening a committee to formulate a constitution, whose principles have already been written by Russian advisers; setting a date for elections and starting to rehabilitate the country. The elements of this outline had already been agreed on by Iran, Turkey and Russia during a summit last September and had been accepted by Assad and some of the rebel organisations.

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