Putin orders most troops out of Syria... Syria conflict: Russia's Putin orders 'main part' of forces out Mon, 14 Mar 2016 - President Putin orders Russian military to start withdrawing the "main part" of forces in Syria, saying their goals have been largely achieved.
This is how you use war as a tool of geopolitics, instead of ideologically inspired crusades. Bravo Mr.Bismark Putin
""I consider the mission set for the Defence Ministry and the armed forces on the whole has been accomplished," Mr Putin said at the Kremlin meeting. "I am therefore ordering the Defence Ministry to begin the withdrawal of the main part of our military force from the Syrian Arab Republic from tomorrow." Mr Putin also said that Russia's Hmeimim airbase and its Mediterranean port at Tartus would continue to operate as normal. He said both must be protected "from land, air and sea". The UN's envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura has meanwhile described the latest peace talks as a "moment of truth". He said there was no "plan B" should the talks fail, with the only alternative a return to war. A cessation of hostilities agreed by most participants in the conflict began late last month - but there have been reports of some violations on all sides." So I guess the refugees can all go home.........................
Protecting the refugees has never been a Russian Goal, the goal was to maintain Assad in power, and regain key strategic regions. Everything else is not Russia's concern. Those goals have been achieved.
Where's the pull-out?... Pentagon: Russian Warplanes Continue Bombing in Syria Mar 15, 2016 | Russian warplanes continued bombing in Syria and "fewer than 10" departed the region following President Vladimir Putin's stunning announcement that his forces had accomplished their mission and a partial withdrawal had begun, Pentagon officials said.
Mebbe dey need `em for the Ukraine?... More Russian warplanes leave Syria March 16 2016 - A second group of Russian warplanes flew out of Syria on Wednesday in line with Moscow's decision to withdraw most of its forces, as US Secretary of State John Kerry prepared a rare trip to Moscow to discuss the conflict.
Assad will likely step down soon. ,, and I seriously doubt Russia will go back in to help him. http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/how-putins-strategic-withdrawl-from-syria-forces-assad-1765198033 Assad may not still be walking the earth if Russia hadnt stepped in to defend him and his regime late last September. Now, after saving him once, it is highly unlikely that Russia will do it again. Obviously Assad will not simply turn himself in to face war crimes charges, but he could agree to an exit strategy that would turn over power to some sort of provisional government and would allow him to live in protected exile... like in, say, I dont know, Russia? Such a provisional government would have to be very Russian-friendly, as there is no way Moscow will lose its strategic Mediterranean port in Tartus and now its newly acquired air base near Latakia that it has fought hard to acquire. In other words, any peace solution will have to meet Russias strategic aims as much as anyone elses. Cracks in the relationship between Damascus and Moscow began to show over the last couple of months, with rumors of Russia coercing Assad to step down and Moscows outright disapproval of Assads position on the ceasefire plan that has allowed Russias forces to make quick exit from Syria. Although Russia has left Assad in a far better tactical position than before their intervention, strategically he remains very vulnerable with few military cards left to play should the fighting reignite.
Russia can always get back in quickly if need be, I think Assad is in a good position to remain in power or at least transfer power to someone who is also a Alawite. Russia accomplished what it needed for its own interests.
I think Putin is sick of Assad... The naval base at Tartus is small.. maybe 50 sailors .. 4 berths, not big enough for a carrier. I don't think Russia will go back in and bail Assad out a second time.
They would , they cannot be seen as losers in the conflict. They would go back in a heart beat if things turn again.
Uh oh............. OPEC producers and Russia may reach deal on output freeze without Iran Russia and major OPEC oil-producers are going ahead with a meeting next month to discuss freezing their output in a bid to stabilize the world price of oil. They are ready to do so without Irans participation. Participating OPEC members also believe the oil producers can reach a deal without Iranian participation. Its a setback but it will not necessarily change the positive atmosphere that has already started, explained one OPEC source to Reuters on Wednesday. There are still talks about a possible meeting between main producers, the source added. The reason Iran is reluctant onto a deal to halt output at January levels is due to the fact that its oil has only recently begun reentering the market since US and European sanctions against Tehran were lifted this January as part of the nuclear deal. Tehran wants to boost its current output to pre-sanctions levels (approximately 4 million barrels a day) before applying a freeze. Russias Energy Minister, Alexander Novak, explained on Monday that they may even reach a deal without Iran. Russia and Saudi Arabia are the main proponents of this freeze initiative and reached agreement with Qatar and Venezuela last month to freeze prices. Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have said they will also freeze production levels if the major oil producers did so, they have not yet been invited to next months meeting. Iraq has agreed to the freeze saying that it has endured quite a lot of hardship given the steep fall in the price of oil, a resource it is heavily dependent on, as it struggles to combat the threat posed by Islamic State. http://rudaw.net/NewsDetails.aspx?pageid=201848
The time may seem unprecedented, and this is simply because Putin is attempting to force Assad to the negotiating table to end everything. Russia is already somewhat stretched in its endeavours and could use a break.
Has Assad taken Putin for a ride? http://www.politicalforum.com/middle-east/450220-scorpion-s-tale-did-assad-take-putin-ride.html
