Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu observe troops in action during a training exercise at the Donguz testing range in Orenburg region, Russia, on Sept. 19. PHOTO: RIA NOVOSTI/REUTERS
Wall Street Journal: Putin’s Syria Tour de Force
Before: Russia is ‘doomed to fail.’ Now: Obama is happy to talk.
Vladimir Putin doesn’t seem to share President Obama’s definition of “smarter.” Ten days ago Mr. Obama declared that the Russian President’s military deployments in Syria were “doomed to fail” and the Kremlin was “going to have to start getting a little smarter.” Mr. Putin then began sending fighter jets, and now it looks like Mr. Obama is the one who has been taken to school.
That’s the only way to read Secretary of Defense Ash Carter’s call on Friday to Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu to explore what a Pentagon spokesman called “mechanisms for deconfliction” in Syria. In addition to the jets, Russia is sending T-90 tanks, howitzers, troop-transport and attack helicopters, a company of armed Marines, and further equipment to establish an air base near the coastal Syrian city of Latakia. Mr. Shoigu describes the build-up as “defensive in nature.”
WNU Editor: This WSJ analysis is correct .... in the past any other U.S. President would be furious with what Russia is doing right now and would be responding in kind. But with President Obama .... a different and far more passive approach appears to be his modus operandi. I think one of the reasons why he is like this is due to the fact that he is now near the end of his term, and he does not want to be in a situation where U.S. forces may find themselves engaged in a major conflict. Legacy is important to him (as it is to every President) .... and being stuck in a major war is not what he wants to be remembered for. Unfortunately .... the perception of him in Russia, China, Iran, and elsewhere is that he is psychologically weak, and they are all now taking advantage of him (and us).
7 comments:
If Russia can establish itself in Syria with a strong military presence (stronger that what we see now, but not by much) it would make it very easy for Putin to apply pressure on Turkey, from the Black Sea to the north and Syria to the south. This may assure the Russian navy unfettered transit of the Dardanelles in the future and splitting Turkey away from NATO (though some in the West may applaud this) in the future.
The world should watch Russia's action and success or failure very closely. If Russia fails to defeat ISIS and the other rebels the West should be ready to jump in with a fully committed effort before ISIS gets stronger to the point where it cannot be stopped without a world war effort.
Bob,
The problem I see with the West is that they (except the US) have nothing to jump with. Not to mention that half the world has decided to show up at their door with one hand open and the other in a fist.
Does Obama lead except in welfare, community organizer, U.S. political infighting?
Obama is as vicious as a naked mole rat, which is a ridiculous looking animal and vicious to it's own kind or something equally as small.
Frankly I don't see that the US loses out from us being the ones doing the fighting in Syria. Since Obama is retreating from the Middle East anyway you could say this is playing into his plans.
"Not to mention that half the world has decided to show up at their door with one hand open and the other in a fist."
Aggressive pan handling
Gotta love it
My commie spouse got to experience it.
"Not to mention that half the world has decided to show up at their door with one hand open and the other in a fist."
Aggressive pan handling
Gotta love it
My commie spouse got to experience it.
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