Anna Borshchevskaya writes: Russian President Vladimir Putin has styled himself as a leader in the fight against global terrorism. Yet the majority of air strikes carried out to date by Russian forces in Syria have been directed not against IS, but against all manner of armed opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, including those supported by the West. This intervention has further increased the already massive flow of Sunni refugees and provided still greater grounds for radicalization and instability in the region. Under these circumstances, it is difficult to see the Kremlin as a reliable partner—let alone a leader—in the war on terrorism. Instead, it appears to be a driver of instability and radicalization within its own country, and far beyond. – Journal of International Security Affairs
The second crash of a Russian warplane off the coast of Syria in less than a month intensified scrutiny Monday of a critical weakness in Moscow’s show of naval force in the Mediterranean and the 1,000-foot hulk leading it. – Washington Post
Pentagon officials at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, this weekend all seemed to have one nation on their mind: Russia. – Washington Times
Georgia/Russian Periphery
A massive reform effort launched in the wake of Russia’s 2008 war with Georgia has transformed a crumbling, demoralized military into agile forces capable of swift action in Ukraine and Syria. Long gone are the days when Russia was forced through financial hardship to scrap dozens of warships and ground most of its air force. Whereas many young men long dodged their obligatory military service, recruits today speak of extending assignments in a better equipped, trained and paid army. – Associated Press
A massive reform effort launched in the wake of Russia’s 2008 war with Georgia has transformed a crumbling, demoralized military into agile forces capable of swift action in Ukraine and Syria. Long gone are the days when Russia was forced through financial hardship to scrap dozens of warships and ground most of its air force. Whereas many young men long dodged their obligatory military service, recruits today speak of extending assignments in a better equipped, trained and paid army. – Associated Press
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