President Putin Ordered Partial Pullout of Troops From Syria.

[Falcons_11]

President Putin order a partial pullout of Russian troops from Syria.

Does this move send s signal that there might be a political transition in Syria to allow President Assad to remain in power, or be disposed?

[Chapperz16]

President Putin order a partial pullout of Russian troops from Syria.

Does this move send s signal that there might be a political transition in Syria to allow President Assad to remain in power, or be disposed?

Assad should stay in power, best way to move forward for the foreseeable future

[Porpoise101]

I think it's a move to make Russia look non interventionist. And it's a good one.

[Vlerchan]

Nah. Putin has demonstrated his willingness to intervene if needs be.

That gives him a much firmer footing at the negotiations table.

If he's aiming at a deal then the further arms expenditure [directed at moderate rebels for the most part this far] is just wasteful at this stage.

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I didn't see this coming. But perhaps I should have.

[Exocet]

Nah. Putin has demonstrated his willingness to intervene if needs be.

That gives him a much firmer footing at the negotiations table.

If he's aiming at a deal then the further arms expenditure [directed at moderate rebels for the most part this far] is just wasteful at this stage.

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I didn't see this coming. But perhaps I should have.

Don't tell me you still believe there are "moderate rebels". The "moderate opposition" died a long time ago and now it's replaced by radical islamists groups.

[Vlerchan]

Don't tell me you still believe there are "moderate rebels". The "moderate opposition" died a long time ago and now it's replaced by radical islamists groups.
No. The moderate rebels being victorious became infeasible and the main threat to the Assad regime became Islamists. That's quite different.

[Chapperz16]

No. The moderate rebels being victorious became infeasible and the main threat to the Assad regime became Islamists. That's quite different.


Actually if you listen to spokespeople at the UN and the Pentagon, a lot of information is coming out that these so called 'moderate' rebels have strong links to Shira law and even cooperate with Al Nusra.. These rebels are dangerous and are not a trustworthy ally in any way.

[Vlerchan]

Actually if you listen to spokespeople at the UN and the Pentagon, a lot of information is coming out that these so called 'moderate' rebels have strong links to Shira law and even cooperate with Al Nusra..
I am aware of moderate's - and entire moderate groups in some cases - defecting to Islamism and co-operation between moderate group and Islamist group like AN-Front. What I'm not aware of is the complete lack of a persisting moderate core. Far as I'm aware there's still a moderate wing to the anti-government insurgency and it still holds a significant presence in a number of Northern pockets that have been the persistent targets of Russian airstrikes.

If there's documents that are leaving the UN or Pentagon stating otherwise then I would appreciate if you linked them.

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I should also add that this isn't me claiming we should fund the moderates or oppose the Russians bombing them. I've been in support of Asaad since mid-2013.

Though - I'll add - this support is tentative. Whilst I don't want the Russian's with bases in the Mediterranean I don't feel there's a solution otherwise.