Posted on 03/15/2016 2:23:53 PM PDT by Trumpinator
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s snap decision to pull warplanes from Syria on Tuesday rearranged the lines of the grinding conflict — and solidified Moscow’s influence not only on the battlefield but also at the negotiating table.
Russian aviators lifted off from air bases in Syria and arrived in Russia to a hero’s welcome six months after the Kremlin’s stunning decision to send forces to help its key Middle East ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
But Russia said it would leave powerful antiaircraft systems in Syria, giving it iron leverage in the region and preserving the option of a speedy return.
The surprise withdrawal — apparently taken without consulting with Assad — jolted the peace discussions underway in Geneva and unnerved Syria and its allies. Russia’s pullout will put significant pressure on Assad to work out a power-sharing agreement with the opposition, many analysts said, amid signs that the Syrian leader was being less accommodating to Putin than the Kremlin may have wished.
It also won immediate diplomatic attention from the United States, something Putin has long hungered for. Secretary of State John F. Kerry plans to travel to Moscow next week to discuss the withdrawal and options for political transition in Syria.
Russian leaders said they would intensify their efforts to combat “terrorism” in Syria, leaving a mist of confusion around the precise contours of their plans, which may be exactly what they wanted to do.
Russian advisers embedded with the Syrian military plan to remain, Russian media reported, citing unnamed sources.
“We will not ease” the fight, Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Ivanov told reporters in Moscow on Tuesday. “We will intensify it. But for that end we do not need the contingent that is present today.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
PS: I assume Advisers left behind equal Spetsnaz.
Now Obama will want to re-arm ISIS again.....
They came to the table last week...and Russia is chief negotiator.
Why are we involved in this damn civil war.
Putin isnt stupid. His generals are saying the Syrian army is enough to stop them but Im sure he has an ace up the sleeve.
I posted an article yesterday to the effect obama immediatley wants to restart his failed Syrian Arms running again . Putin is not going to just let him walk right in.
Something is afoot.
Putin was POd because he apparently had a plan which would mean Assad would step down sooner of later, but Assad said no and Putin said see ya’ or so the story goes.
Menagh Air Base, Syria
Putin has been tuning up his military much like a baseball team readies itself for the regular season by playing spring training games. His military has recently gained lots of practice in live fire exercises in Syria and in the Crimea region. Is all this a lead up to some future aggression or provocation? I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bust a move somewhere within the next nine months. He may see that as his window of opportunity before Obama leaves office.
What Putin did in Crimea and Syria were masterstrokes.
Russia does the work. Obama will climb all the credit.
Putin did it to weaken obama. Him and Donald are pals.
From Putin’s perspective, there is little to fear from creating an incident that gives him an excuse for his next land grab. He knows weakness when he see’s it. And he knows that other countries respect strength.
Obama weakened himself. He doesn’t need anyone to do it for him.
Only three possible reasons exist to do this: (1) blowback at home - not happening; (2) the fight no longer matters to the leadership (Putin); or (3) get your people out so when you glass the place they don’t get killed.
It’s 2 or 3. Any bets on which one?
Putin fearful of Obama’s wrath .. /s
I think they looked at their costs and other current and possible commitments and decided to declare a win and go home. I wouldn’t be surprised if they extracted something from all the players who would want them to go first, though. The Russians never give up anything without gaining something.
Russia must not view permanent/perpetual war as a base industry....
Pic #2; Now THAT is a technical!
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