https://www.moonofalabama.org/2024/12/palestine-open-thread-2024-295.html#comments

Eighthman @ 40

Putin has escaped the RAND trap of draining Russia through attrition - by not saving Assad. Only a strong credible leader can say 'no' in such a circumstance - unlike the US getting involved most everywhere (until the money printing stops one day).

I agree this tactically helps Russia focus and gather its resources, but geo-strategically it's a disaster. Total loss of the Mediterranean, even greater isolation from Europe. I can't imagine that's what Russia wanted, in fact Putin said Russia has no intention to withdraw into isolation ever again.

It's a big fuck up but I don't think Russia had any pretensions of control in Syria and from the lack of USA Vietnam and Afghanistan withdrawal chaos they seems to have been prepared. I wonder if they see a bigger war with NATO coming, as success increases in the SMO the greater the danger grows, not lessens.

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Dec 8 2024 18:22 utc | 72