A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Monday, March 14, 2016

This is Making the Rounds ...

Hello? Hello?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This as well: https://twitter.com/Pasha_Spider/status/709919895031562240

David Mack said...

A daring but rather modest military investment achieved his goals, even if they are not Bashar's. Time to reduce risk with Russian public, strained military budget, Turkey and Arab states. Putin has shown how to use leverage to gain maximum political influence and credibility with the U.S. and Europe. So far, his gamble has paid off. We should not begrudge him the success. Better his influence in Syria than that of Iran and Hezbollah. And if Putin can crown his success by being part of a successful deal for a Syrian transition that keeps Russia's pals in the Syrian military and Syrian intelligence there after Bashar leaves, Czar Vladimir will have a place in history. Reminds me a bit of Anwar Sadat in 1973 and 1974. I can't share the alarm of the Washington Post editorial board, unreformed cold warriors and democracy and human rights think tanks, etc. There could be far worse outcomes for the Syrian people and for the U.S.