Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Putin Leaves Syria
Date:	3/15/2016 3:06:46 PM

He's declared success and is removing his bombers from the country.   What do you think is behind this?  Is it costing Russia too much; is he mad that the boys didn't let him officially join the club; Or does he really believe that he has assured Assad's future? 

The Russians once occupied Afghanistan and when they realized they couldn't win, they left.  Why it is other countries can realize the hopelessness of the cause  or realize it is bleeding them dry, they leave; but we can never seem to do this?

I'm beginning to wonder if we are being fed the domino effect again - you remember the story how if we didn't fight China/North Vietnam on their turf, that it would sweep across Asia, sweep across Europe and end up on our door step?  Well, after way too many of our military were killed, we finally gave up and came home.  And did what was predicted happen? No.  Just something to think about.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Putin Leaves Syria
Date:	3/15/2016 3:20:17 PM

I think the oil prices remaining low is part of the answer.  Russia depends heavily on oil revenue and I am sure they are feeling the adverse effect of the low prices and with OPEC pumping away didn't see any change coming soon.  I also think they accomplished their objective of being a player in Middle East politics in lieu of the west.  Once the source of financing for U.S. domestic oil production dries up (pun intended), which was the main goal of OPEC letting proces drop so rapidly and remain there, they will begin to curtail production again and prices will start to rise.  The Russian economy is a wreck and they are demographically doomed like China and the last thing Putin wants is some sort of popular uprising.

Will be interesting to see how long Assad survives if they do pull out and don't come back when his power is threatened.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Putin Leaves Syria
Date:	3/15/2016 4:31:55 PM

He expected the US to send troops into Syria but Obama is too smart for that trap. So, Putin has decided to go home.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Goofbutt--Grammatical Error
Date:	3/15/2016 6:42:42 PM

Use of the word "smart" with the word "obama" in the same sentence is considered gross abuse of the word Smart....Red Flag...."F" in 7th grade English.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Putin Leaves Syria
Date:	3/16/2016 8:28:43 AM

I know you are kidding because no one expected the U.S. to do anything of the sort with dear leader at the helm.  I've since read some other analyses and most of them fall into the category of Putin having filled the vacumn in the Middle East left by the west and is now considered the dominant player there which was his mission.  None mentioned my idea that it was expensive and their economic problems.  

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Putin Leaves Syria
Date:	3/16/2016 11:16:13 AM

Well, I think that is part of the reason he is leaving.  The Russian economy is a mess.  And by appearing to play a major role in the Syrian mess, he can deceive his countrymen that Russia remains a "superpower" with a lot of influence in the world and shore up his power at home.  And by leaving right now, he can still make it seem like a win for Russia, because I don't believe these peace talks are going to go anywhere. 

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Putin Leaves Syria
Date:	3/16/2016 11:19:50 AM

Yep, and Assad's days may be numbered but like all the prognostication about Trump's eventual demise this one too many be wrong.  He and Putin seem like twins separated at birth.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Putin Leaves Syria
Date:	3/16/2016 12:21:48 PM

""Yep, and Assad's days may be numbered but like all the prognostication about Trump's eventual demise this one too many be wrong.  "He" and Putin seem like twins separated at birth.""

HE=Assad or Trump of BOTH?

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	He=Assad
Date:	3/16/2016 5:37:19 PM

None of them have a problem with their self esteem.  I think is ISIS would somehow get the upper hand in Syria, Assad will be marched through the streets with his head on a stick.