Putin's foresight: how 2015 Syria plan is aiding his Ukraine war
World in 10
Deep Dive
How has Putin's military involvement in Syria benefited his war efforts in Ukraine?
Putin used Syria as a proving ground for generals and to test new weapons, gaining operational experience that has been applied in Ukraine.
Why did Putin initially intervene in Syria in 2015?
Putin saw an opportunity to prop up Assad, who was under significant pressure, and to gain other opportunistic benefits, such as testing and marketing new weaponry.
What institutional failings in the Russian military have been exposed by their performance in Ukraine?
The Russian military has demonstrated an inability to orchestrate all necessary assets in time and space, a failure attributed to inadequate leadership and lack of agility.
How does the situation in Syria impact Putin's resources and focus on Ukraine?
Syria presents an additional logistics headache for Putin, as Russia's stockpiles of munitions are reducing, and air-delivered munitions, crucial in Syria, are harder to produce.
Why did Lord Richards believe there was a missed opportunity for peace in Ukraine in 2022?
Lord Richards felt Ukraine was at its high water mark in 2022 and should have negotiated then, as Russia's resolve was underestimated, and continuing the fight only prolonged the conflict without a clear victory for Ukraine.
- Russia's military campaign in Syria served as a proving ground for generals and weapons testing.
- Many senior commanders who served in Syria later appeared in Ukraine.
- Putin's actions in Syria might have been a preparation for the invasion of Ukraine.
- The international community's inaction in 2014-2015 emboldened Putin.
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