Posted on 10/01/2015 4:30:50 AM PDT by elhombrelibre
Putin has a big problem in Syria — one to which Western coverage of the Russian military intervention in Syria has not paid much attention.
Namely, the intervention is not at all popular with Russians themselves. Because Putin's personal popularity is key to his political longevity, that could be a very serious matter indeed for the Russian leader.
A recent poll by Moscow's Levada Center shows that only a small minority of Russians support giving Bashar al-Assad direct military support. Only 39 percent of respondents said they supported Russia's policy toward the Assad regime. When asked what Russia should do for Assad, 69 percent opposed direct military intervention. A tiny 14 percent of respondents said that Russia should send troops or other direct military support to Syria.
(Excerpt) Read more at vox.com ...
They’ll likely change their tune if he’s successful. If he’s not...
This isn’t Crimea.
Syria could be for Putin’s Russia what Afghanistan was for the Soviet Union.
Russians have no desire to relive the Afghan adventure.
Events these days seem to defy conventional wisdom.
On the face of it, this Russian intervention seems like it should end in quagmire and disaster for the Russians.
But God is in control, not Putin.
Who knows. The Lord may give him victory after victory, in the short run. Thanks to Obama’s imbecilic creation of such an historic power vacuum, the Russians may clean up for awhile.
Which ultimately, in my opinion, can only lead to a greater disaster for everyone in the long haul.
Oh well. God is in charge, and the die is cast.
He does care a great deal about his personal popularity.
That said, its easier to get in a foreign conflict than its to get out of it.
Especially when one is taking sides in someone else’s civil war.
Putin will be fine, he doesn’t have a Harry Reid to lie every time he opens his mouth....about him...
Nobody in the Russian parliament or press wants to be poisoned....
He must care because he spends a tremendous amount effort and time trying to bamboozle the average Russian into thinking he’s some sort of Rambo. Think of all the photos with his “macho” flabby boobs showing. Think of the propaganda he aims through RT and other “news” outlets. Think of his foreign information aimed at outsiders to convince everyone he’s popular. Think of the journalist he’s had killed. He cares. It’s not all he cares about, but he considers it a contributing factor to his rule. Like any dictator, they want a cult of personality.
whew, for a minute I thought Putin’s big problem was John Kerry’s disapproval.
Don’t worry about Putin. Russians will told who to vote for when it’s time.
Its a complicated issue and anyone who thinks they have all the answers to the Syria question is a fool.
Personally I think our only concern should be that none of our guys get killed. That means we’ve either got to get out of the way or coordinate our movements with the Russians so we aren’t killing each other and making things even worse.
Just like Obama I guess.
I think Putin’s alot more popular there than Obama is here. This administration is an embarrassment. We need someone who can Make America Great Again. Quickly.
What Russian leader paid attention to the will of the people there?
Answer: Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, no leader ever cared.
From Czars Generalissimos to Politburo members, when did they ever care about the masses?
So, Putin can do whatever he wants around the globe now while Obama plays with his rectum...
But the russians learned different lessons from Afghanistan than we “learned” from Vietnam.
Saddam Hussein was “popular,” too.
Trump pointed out this morning on Fox that Afghanistan was a major factor in bankrupting the USSR and causing the downfall and breakup. The russkies could face the same scenario in Syria, and since 0bama hasn't done jack about fight ISIS there, let the riussians bomb them.
As the body bags start to pile up in Syria (as they are in Ukraine), this war will get about as unpopular as our “Operation Iraqi Freedom” within a year.
Ruskies would be smart to keep it as a carpet bombing campaign and minimize the boots.
“They’ll likely change their tune if he’s successful. If he’s not...”
From the looks of the Great Terrorist Migration (to Europe mostly, and here somewhat), I doubt Russia has to spend much time there. There won’t be any terrorists left to fight in Syria soon and Russia will withdraw from combat.
Putin, understandably, will be a national hero.
“Putin will be fine, he doesn’t have a Harry Reid to lie every time he opens his mouth....about him...”
Also, I doubt their rules of engagement are the same as ours. For some reason I don’t think that Putin is trying to win “the hearts and minds” of the terrorists that he’s fighting.
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