Putin’s calculations in Syria

Vladimir Putin is moving decisively to rescue last Russian foothold in Middle East and on Mediterranean.

http://www.thearabweekly.com/?id=2025

2015/09/19 Issue: 23 Page: 2

The Arab Weekly
Martin Sieff

Why the Russians Went into Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin is running increased risks of clashes with the United States, Saudi Arabia, other major Muslim nations and Israel by intervening in Syria.
Although the move is being painted in the US media as reck­less, meaningless and dangerous, Putin is making a rational calcula­tion. And once again he has caught Obama administration policymak­ers and Israeli Prime Minister Biny­amin Netanyahu by surprise.
First, Putin is moving decisively to rescue the last Russian foothold in the Middle East and on the Mediterranean.