Putin craze takes hold in Middle East

BEIRUT (AP) -- Amid the ornate walls of Damascus' famed Omayyad Mosque, preacher Maamoun Rahmeh stood before worshippers last week, declaring Russian President Vladimir Putin a "giant and beloved leader" who has "destroyed the myth of the self-aggrandizing America."

Posters of Putin are popping up on cars and billboards elsewhere in parts of Syria and Iraq, praising the Russian military intervention in Syria as one that will redress the balance of power in the region.

The Russian leader is winning accolades from many in Iraq and Syria, who see Russian airstrikes in Syria as a turning point after more than a year of largely ineffectual efforts by the U.S.-led coalition to dislodge the Islamic State militants who have occupied significant parts of the two countries.

"Putin does more than just speak," said Sohban Elewi of Damascus, summing up the views of Syrians on opposing camps who regard U.S. policy in Syria and Iraq as fumbled and confused.

Russia insists it is targeting the Islamic State group and other "terrorists." But Syrian rebels and opposition activists say Moscow's warplanes in recent days have focused on Idlib and the central province of Hama, hitting U.S.-backed rebels in areas with no IS militants.

The planes also have provided air cover for Syrian ground troops who launched an offensive in central Syria, reinforcing the belief that Russia's main aim is to shore up Assad's forces.

"The (Russian) intervention has raised the morale of the Syrian army and the Syrian people alike," said Dr. Samir Haddad from the central city of Homs.

This admiration of Russia's Putin is due to the utter failure and stupidity of Bush I, Bush II and, of course, the foreign aid student and devout Muslim communist Barack Obama I!

The fruitcake who eats, sleeps and sh-ts in the disgraced White Hut likes to 'lead from behind' which means following a stronger leader. Putin has eaten stupid's lunch and America is disgraced and ruined by an ignorant electorate.

Folks in the world appreciate strength.
Putin shows such strength.
Obammy on the othe r hand is a 6 year old little girl.

2 posted on 10/16/2015 4:27:39 AM PDT by Joe Boucher ( Obammy is a lie, a mooselimb and pond scum.)

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