Rutgers Professor Shares Insight On Russia's Decision To Withdraw Forces From Syria
CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) -- President Vladimir Putin's decision to withdraw the main portion of Russian forces from Syria came as a big surprise to the Obama Administration and Geopolitical experts.
Shaheen Ayubi, Professor of International relations at Rutgers-Camden, believes Putin is attempting to avoid the mistakes of his predecessors who got bogged down in Afghanistan for nearly ten years. At the same time she notes that Putin has not announced a total withdraw.
"They still will have a presence in places such as the Mediterranean seaport of Tartus and other ports and areas."
Putin apparently believes he's achieved his main goal of preventing the rebels from toppling the Asad regime, which now turns its focus on UN-mediated peace talks in Geneva.
"I think he's also giving a message to Asad to come out of Geneva and make those Geneva talks successful," Ayubi explained.
The Obama administration is taking a wait and see approach to the pullback. However, the President is sending Secretary of State John Kerry to Moscow next week for talks on ending the war in Syria.
