Page 6 - Ulpan Or E-Tone (04-24-18) Advanced level

E-Tone™: Ulpan-Or Weekly News Digest

Item #1 (Advanced Level)

Putin’s Interest

When Vladimir Putin visited the Russian air force base in Khmeimim,

Assad followed him like an admirer and subordinate. That was only one of

the moments that demonstrated how much Syria is a protectorate these
days, and almost every development of recent years in Syria concerns the

Russian patron, and every time, he is the one who says the last word.

President Trump may have closed a Russian consulate and expelled
Russian diplomats in response to the poisoning of the spy, but in Syria last

night he seemed to have tip-toed around so to not approach the Russian

interests, which include the presidential palace. Assad must stay, not only
because it could be worse without him, but because without him the

Russians lose their bases in Latakia and Tartus. The Obama administration
was certain that the entry of Russian forces into Syria would cause Putin to

wade through the mud and suffer losses caused by ISIS. Reality has

proven that with the exception of a number of attacks and the downing of a
Russian plane in Sinai, Putin did not sink into any mud, and only rescued

Assad from it.

Page 6 - Edition 04-24-18
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