This week, Steven Lee Meyers and Eric Schmitt of The New York Times report that U.S. military experts are impressed by the capabilities displayed by Russian forces in Syria. Also, Leonid Bershidsky of Bloomberg View exposes the lie behind Putin’s assessment of the Russian economy.
Russian helicopters flying at Hmeymim airbase in Syria last week. Western military experts have been impressed by Russia's display of sophisticated weaponry in its campaign in Syria. Photo: TASS
Russian Military Uses Syria as Proving Ground, and West Takes Notice
Steven Lee Myers and Eric Schmitt, The New York Times
Russia’s military had been considered largely decrepit since the fall of the Soviet Union, but in the years since its 2008 war with Georgia, it has undergone significant improvements. The campaign in Syria is the first time that Russia has openly demonstrated its formidable new capabilities.
Obama’s Doctrine of Restraint
Roger Cohen, The New York Times
Cohen characterizes Obama’s foreign policy approach toward Russia as a “Doctrine of Restraint.” Has Obama become overly cautious when it comes to projecting U.S. power overseas, especially after the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq?
Putin’s Fake Good News on the Economy
Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg View
In the third quarter of 2015, Russia had its first capital inflow in five years, which Putin touted as a sign that the country’s economy has turned the corner and will soon see growth. Bershidsky disputes Putin’s argument, saying that the capital inflow is not due to direct foreign investment but rather to money labeled by the central bank as “net errors and omissions.”
A Kink in the Pipeline
Morena Skalamera, Foreign Affairs
Relations between Russia and Turkey have become tense over Russia’s backing of Bashar Assad, prompting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to threaten a reevaluation of energy relations with Russia. Skalamera says that Turkey continues to be utterly dependent on Russian resources and explains how it can decrease this dependence.
China’s Great Game: In Russia’s Backyard
Jack Farchy, Financial Times
Attitudes in Central Asian countries toward China’s growing dominance in the region are mixed: they distrust China, yet they are desperate to remedy their economic woes, especially given the deep recession in Russia. How much influence is Russia willing to cede to China in Central Asia?
