As you may or may not know, Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of Russia's military forces from Syria. This is what I believe happened:
The Russians have cut a deal with the U.S., Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
In exchange for a partial withdrawal of ground troops and some tactical air assets, the Russians will have guaranteed access to Khmeimim airbase and the naval support base at Tartus if and when the Assad regime falls. There are also probably some guarantees that Russia will continue to have financial priority with the successor government.
The Russians “win” with an impressive display of military hardware and logistic support, mitigate their defense of Assad before it became a quagmire like Afghanistan, and protect their military and economic interests in the region.
Everyone else "wins" by accelerating the return of refugees from neighboring countries and Europe while redeploying their expensive military operations from Syria.
The only losers are the Syrians who return to a devastated country with decimated governance that will take generations to rebuild, if ever. Iraq sends their regards.
We’ll find out for sure within the next couple of days. The intelligence branches of each US armed service are watching that airbase like hawks.
The Russians have cut a deal with the U.S., Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
In exchange for a partial withdrawal of ground troops and some tactical air assets, the Russians will have guaranteed access to Khmeimim airbase and the naval support base at Tartus if and when the Assad regime falls. There are also probably some guarantees that Russia will continue to have financial priority with the successor government.
The Russians “win” with an impressive display of military hardware and logistic support, mitigate their defense of Assad before it became a quagmire like Afghanistan, and protect their military and economic interests in the region.
Everyone else "wins" by accelerating the return of refugees from neighboring countries and Europe while redeploying their expensive military operations from Syria.
The only losers are the Syrians who return to a devastated country with decimated governance that will take generations to rebuild, if ever. Iraq sends their regards.
We’ll find out for sure within the next couple of days. The intelligence branches of each US armed service are watching that airbase like hawks.
