The U.S. has done much the same thing from Incirlik air base in Turkey. Hubris aside, Putin has every reason to be pleased with his efforts to undermine U.S. stature in the Middle East. When Obama set a “red line” against chemical weapons, Assad successfully defied it with Russia’s help. Russia has sent him fighter jets, tanks, armoured vehicles and troops, and built a new air base on the Mediterranean. Given the extent of the turmoil, it will almost certainly take more than one administration to make a dent in the legacy of frustration and failure Obama leaves behind.

Source: National Post August 22, 2016 13:18 UTC