Russia 's annexation of Crimea , and feared threat to invade Ukraine , has grabbed attention . Bashar al-Assad 's says What 's happening there is changing the power balance in the Middle East . Ukraine , not al Qaida , directly affects western security in more basic ways . Much of northern Syria under control of jihadi groups , united in opposition to Europe . Syria is in the process of becoming a bridgehead to West - Tisdall for al Qaida , he adds .
Russia 's annexation of Crimea , and feared threat to invade Ukraine , has grabbed attention . Bashar al-Assad 's says Ukraine , not al Qaida , directly affects western security in more basic ways . Much of northern Syria under control of jihadi groups , united in opposition to Europe . Syria is in the process of becoming a bridgehead to West - Tisdall for al Qaida , he adds .