The Wall Street Journal published an article titled 'How Putin’s boldness on Syria trumps the US'. The Russian President was described as defiant in it.
The reporters noted that Vladimir Putin’s motives in Syria are focused on Russia’s interests, which is why he is supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Middle East specialist Aaron David Miller said in the article that the United States failed to achieve any of the tasks set out in Syria: there is no effective coalition against IS, the Islamists continue to grab the territory of other states and Bashar al-Assad is still the president.
Aaron David Miller believes that Putin's cards are easier to play.
"But at a time when US policy in Syria looks confused and weak, Putin looks bold by contrast. What’s the significance? It is remarkable that while the US just cut a major agreement with Iran on the nuclear issue, it is Putin, not Washington, getting Iran’s help in Syria. Things like this reinforce the idea that the US is playing checkers in the Middle East while everyone else plays three-dimensional chess," he concluded.
