After Victory, Putin Steps Into Syrian Minefield

Haaretz ^ | April 29, 2019 | Zvi Bar`el

[NorseViking]

Caught between a stalling U.S. pullout, Israeli 'alliance' and Idlib militias, Russian president finds his monopoly over Assad's resurgence may require some flexibility.

Russian President Vladimir Putin can indeed credit himself with an important military accomplishment after transferring control of most of Syria’s territory to Syrian President Bashar Assad, but it seems this diplomatic minefield is presenting new and unexpected challenges for him that could erode the military achievements.

The diplomatic plan Russia drew up looks, on its face, to be orderly and logical. According to the plan, Russia was already meant to be withdrawing some of its forces from Syria; resolving the question of dismantling the rebel forces in Idlib province through diplomatic means, primarily through Turkey; convening a committee to formulate a constitution, whose principles have already been written by Russian advisers; setting a date for elections and starting to rehabilitate the country. The elements of this outline had already been agreed on by Iran, Turkey and Russia during a summit last September and had been accepted by Assad and some of the rebel organizations.

[adorno]

Russia is a big country, with a small economy.

Methinks that Trump pulled one over on Putin. Putin is now stuck with supporting a regime and country with huge needs that Russia cannot meet. Russia is also overextended in other parts of the world, including Venezuela and Cuba and even countries in Asia. It’s impossible for Russia’s economy to support its people and all the other Russian intrusions around the world. It’s poor economy is going to become even poorer, and its huge military spending makes that even more difficult. In essence, Russia is a country in shambles, but Putin is still living in the glory days of the old USSR, at the expense of ‘his’ people.

[McGruff]

I really don’t give a dam about Syria. I do give a dam about any US troops there.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“... [the] Russian president finds his monopoly over Assad’s resurgence may require some flexibility.”

HA! I’ll bet that Vlad is seriously missing his buddy 0bama these days! *SMIRK*

[fella]

Putin needs to pull those military resources out of Syria so they can be redeployed to Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. he hasn’t enough to cover all his bases.

[bert]

Get a life....... troops are deployed by the CNC as he sees fit

What you armchair quarter back is sanctimonious bravado

[oincobx]

>>>Get a life....... troops are deployed by the CNC as he sees fit

As I recall, he saw fit in December to pull all of our troops out of Syria. Yet we are still there.

[NorseViking]

And more wars are coming. Some suggest to put troops into Venezuela to meddle in their elections.

[bert]

Turns out, he was wrong and changed his mind

Get current

[oincobx]

>>>Turns out, he was wrong and changed his mind

So, Sec Def Mattis was right?

[rrrod]

Excellent points.

[bert]

Doesn’t matter..... it is not for your approval or disapproval.

You do not matter

[mac_truck]

So, Sec Def Mattis was right?

Lol..that's gonna leave a mark!

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

[SunkenCiv]

The Three Amigos

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan meet in Sochi, Russia November 22, 2017. (photo credit: SPUTNIK/MIKHAIL METZEL/KREMLIN VIA REUTERS)