Su-24 bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces at the Khmeimim airbase in Syria. © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik
US interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan got bogged down by ambitious goals. In Syria, Russia has kept it simple and is gaining in influence in the region because of it.
WASHINGTON — When Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his forces to the rescue of Syria's Bashar al-Assad a year ago, President Obama predicted that the Russians would end up trapped in a “quagmire.”
Today, Russia hardly appears to be bogged down and instead has reestablished itself as a power in the Middle East.
Russian bombers and special forces have solidified President Assad's hold on Syria, making it possible for him to retake parts of the country once considered irretrievably lost to opposition forces, including moderate rebels armed by the Central Intelligence Agency.
Read more ....
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- August 23, 2016
Russia’s Illusion of Influence in the Middle East -- Kamran Bokhari, Geopolitical Futures
Why ‘Cash for Prisoners’ May End Up Being Least of U.S. Concerns Over Payment to Iran -- Aaron David Miller, WSJ
Why peace is prevailing, for now, in south Lebanon -- Nicholas Blanford, CSM
Is Biden's Visit a Last Chance for Turkey and America? -- Kemal Kirisci, National Interest
The US and NATO Need Turkey -- Halil I. Danismaz, Time
Japan, China, South Korea aim for common ground -- Jonathan Miller, DW
U.S.-China Perception Gap in the South China Sea -- David J. Firestein, The Diplomat
North Korea: A Realistic Path to Regime Change -- Robert E. Kelly, The Interpreter
The Foundations of Pacific Stability -- Eric K. Fanning, Project Syndicate
India Plays the Balochistan Card - With China -- David Brewster, The Interpreter
Everything you need to know to understand the Niger Delta Avengers and their quest for secession -- Adetula David, Ventures Africa
Sisi faces the uncertain promise of Suez -- Geoffrey Aronson, Al Jazeera
Pro-EU camp humiliated again as UK economy surges -- The Commentator
Italexit Would Make Brexit Look Like a Picnic -- Desmond Lachman, Economics21
Don't Censor Terrorists' Names -- Noah Feldman, Bloomberg
No comments:
Post a Comment