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I don’t think Putin is an idiot.
He would have to be, to trust a North Korean.
As for Syria, we already know that Damascus is scheduled to soon be an Ash Heap. I think Putin likely is aware of this fact.
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Putin doesn’t care about Assad...he’s said as much...he just wants his warm water ports undisturbed... and his neighbor countries without conflict. Nato likes to push the envelope...and when they do Putin will push back.
I remember saying all the EU and US and ImF want out of Ukraine is to keep Ukraine a debtor nation....good for a revenue washing machine..which they are now....and strip their resources...which is being done thanks to Obama, Hillary mcCain and Biden.
I agree Damascus will be fattened in due time...the question will be who gets what’s left of the country. Iran, Sauds, Russia....US all have skin in the game there and agendas of what they want to do with it.