Putin has already scored an important victory in Syria

Putin did not have to fire a shot to assert Russian power, focus the world’s attention, and counter U.S. influence. --According to reliable press reports, President Vladimir Putin has already made major changes in the Russian military role in Syria. --No one can yet estimate how many more forces and weapons Russia will provide, but so far Putin’s major actions include: • Expanding Russian port facilities in the naval base at Tartus and expanding an airfield south of Latakia into an air base.

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(Hat tip: KimR)