Posted on 03/17/2016 9:35:48 AM PDT by bananaman22
As reported around the world, Russia’s decision to greatly reduce its military presence in Syria, coming as it did with little warning, has left the world struggling for explanations.
After having rescued the Syrian Government’s position in Syria from certain defeat and securing a partial truce along with the onset of an imminent peace conference, the partial withdrawal is seen by many as a message to the Assad government to not take Russia’s military aid for granted, and to be more flexible in the upcoming peace negotiations.
If we assume that all wars are essentially trade wars grown large, and in the Middle East, they almost always involve energy, then the Russian gambit in Syria can be viewed from a different perspective. Russia’s economy is currently in recession, partly as a result of western sanctions, but much more seriously hurt by the crashing of energy prices.
(Excerpt) Read more at oilprice.com ...
First of all, Putin is not leaving Syria. He’s probably removed a few planes. That’s all.
Second, he’s basically won the war. Putin’s guy survived, and he’s convinced Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Obama, through brutal use of power, that their destructive, Sunni proxy war is doomed to failure.
Putin Carried Out Threat to Assad and Withdrew Forces: Louay Hussein
http://syrianobserver.com/EN/Interviews/30727/Putin_Carried_Out_Threat_Assad_Withdrew_Forces_Louay_Hussein/
The cost of the war was minimal for Russia. It may even have gotten a net profit from it if Iran paid the bills. The war in Syria was a pipeline war fought along sectarian lines.
He’s removed targets.
Russia got some fine practical field experience and testing of operations and equipment.
Kind of bomba testing 1.0.
Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.
If Dubya had followed a similar course of action when Saddam Hussein had been captured, instead of staying there and trying their hand at “nation-building”, but by staying on station with a fully battle-ready garrison, ISIS would never have come into existence.
Islam ain’t READY for democratic reform, nor shall it ever by. Any form of democratic representation is absolutely antithetical to Islam and Shari’ah law.
Sharing of power is just not in their genetic makeup. Their “politics” is continuous warfare until a strongman emerges who rules the rest with a brutal tyranny.
The USA could have "won" in Iraq - in fact we did win. Putin had several key advtanges. He has no opposition party at home, with an opposition-controlled media, constantly harping on every errant bomb or dead soldier. He did not have to worry about UN observers or a "coalition of the willing." Putin laid waste to enemy areas, and even used the refugees as an bargaining chip to raise the stakes against the feckless Obama and his Saudi/Turk allies. Putin also had Iranian and Hezbollah fighters who occupy the ground his forces cleared. Finally, to the extent they knew about it, the Russian public supported Putin, as he promoted the war as anti-western and pro-Christian civilization.
The USA should not fight such wars. We have the weapons, but no will to win. Our politics are too divided, and much of the USA has no faith in America or vague concepts of "freedom" or our values. Indeed, a major political party in the USA is in business to dismantle American strength.
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