Putin is coming across as very adroit. But it must also be mentioned — which Pepe Escobar doesn't do here — that securing the Middle East and Central Asia is existential for Russia.
Jihadis present a major threat to Russia on their own and they are also a proxy force in US hybrid warfare.
Putin is not just being a nice guy in helping out Assad. Russia has a major strategic interest in Mideast stability, which entails eradication of terrorism that can be directed at Russia from the south and southeast. China faces a similar threat of jihadi terrorism from the Uighurs on its eastern flank.
Asia Times
Vladimir Putin, Syria’s pacifier-in-chief
Pepe Escobar
It's existential for Europe too, yet you don't see their leadership breaking with their American "allies". Too many chefs?
ReplyDeleteA bigger threat to Russia is their aging population. That will hurt them more than any level of terrorism.