Neil Hauer is an independent analyst focused on Syria, Russia, and the Caucasus. Based in Tbilisi, Georgia, he served as senior intelligence analyst at The SecDev Group, an Ottawa-based geopolitical risk consultancy, for three years. He is presently engaged primarily on Russia’s role in the Syrian conflict. Follow him on Twitter at @NeilPHauer. https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/contributor/neil-hauer/rss en ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 26 Apr 2018 09:10:00 +0000 Neil Hauer https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/26/north-caucasian-militants-may-be-seeking-syria-exit https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/26/north-caucasian-militants-may-be-seeking-syria-exit They were once a formidable fighting force in Syria. But it appears that the era of North Caucasian jihadist fighters is drawing to a close, as many scale back on military activities in the country, writes intelligence analyst Neil Hauer. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:00:00 +0000 Neil Hauer https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/07/analysis-russias-failure-at-sochi-means-more-war-for-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/07/analysis-russias-failure-at-sochi-means-more-war-for-syria Having failed to achieve tangible progress at the Syrian Congress of National Dialogue in Sochi, Moscow will instead be forced to rely on military means to achieve its goals in Syria, according to journalist and analyst Neil Hauer. Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Fri, 19 Jan 2018 12:30:00 +0000 Neil Hauer https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/19/the-impact-of-chechen-and-north-caucasian-militants-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/19/the-impact-of-chechen-and-north-caucasian-militants-in-syria Militants from Chechnya and the North Caucasus were estimated at around 4,000 in Syria at their peak. Despite their small numbers, they’ve had a meaningful influence on the jihadi scene in the country, according to intelligence analyst Neil Hauer. Government & Pro-Government Forces Thu, 30 Nov 2017 12:16:39 +0000 Neil Hauer https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/30/a-war-within-a-war-chechnyas-expanding-role-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/30/a-war-within-a-war-chechnyas-expanding-role-in-syria Over the past year, Chechnya significantly expanded its role and foothold in Syria, including funding the reconstruction of major Syrian mosques and deploying highly trained Chechen military forces to some of the toughest front lines. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Mon, 10 Jul 2017 07:12:59 +0000 Neil Hauer https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/10/how-russia-and-turkey-are-converging-on-idlib https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/10/how-russia-and-turkey-are-converging-on-idlib There is growing common ground between Russia and former Assad opponent Turkey on enforcing a de-escalation zone in the northern rebel enclave of Idlib province, writes intelligence analyst Neil Hauer. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Fri, 09 Jun 2017 12:07:47 +0000 Neil Hauer https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/09/how-russia-can-secure-the-de-escalation-zones-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/09/how-russia-can-secure-the-de-escalation-zones-in-syria Neil Hauer, senior intelligence analyst at the SecDev Group, examines Russia’s primary option to secure the “de-escalation zones” and ensure compliance with the cease-fire: the Chechen units of the Kremlin’s military police.