Phinks wrote:^
That move by Putin was so unexpected that even the Wests top brass military experts were shocked. But wouldn't NATO/NEO-CONS jump at this?! What is Putin thinking?!
I was surprised to get this one right, Putin has been doing the opposite of what i though he would do , and everyone too.
but after months of trying to get into his head, i am not there yet, but i was certain that he would wind down the Syrian operation
after the massive success, why because he said so exactly.
Putin is not a western politician, he does not need to lie, he may conceal information, deflect questions
but has never done a barefaced lie to his people yet,
but this is normal for western politicians.
Even when they say factual things, they need to spin it one way or the other.
Putin clearly said that the Syrian operation will be a temporary, and with easily definable goals and objectives,
and will be winded down and ended when met.
Russia has achieved their goals, the rebels will never be able to defeat the Syrian army on their own, again
even with all the manpads.
Russias goals have been from day 1 to save the syrian army and retrain and re-equip it so that it can fight alone.
The objective was not to defeat all enemies and win that way,
its impossible, the plan was to make it clear to the west and to the rebels that they cannot win, and that they need to sit down and negotiate.
The message was given to assad and he accepted.
Now that millitary victory looks doable assad got ambitious and decided he does not want to talk,
the same way the rebels did not want to talk 6 months ago, but now many groups are ready, after getting defeated on the ground.
Putin was sending messages to 2 both Syrian government and the Russian people.
saying to the Russian people, " see i did it, met the clear objectives i gave myself , and now i am leaving just like i said and on time even, no quagmire, see you need to reelect me
so i can keep doing this)
to Syrian government( I saved your asses, and you accepted the terms, this ends with negotiations and assad stepping down and elections,
if you renege on my agreement, i will pull back and you know the Europeans and the Americans and Turks are ready to drop a few accidental
cruise missiles and bunker busters on you, if i turn off my S-400's and let my jets sit on the tarmac, for 1 day)