---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine
Date: Wed, Oct 7, 2015 at 8:45 AM
Subject: re: Mr. Putin’s Motives in Syria
To: "letters@nytimes.com"
To the Editor:
"Never" Napoleon advised "interfere with the enemy when he is in the process of destroying himself." In propping up Bashar al-Assad, Putin is getting into a commitment with no good exit. al-Assad has killed far more innocent people than ISIS has, and is as hated by the world's Muslims--16 million of whom live in Russia. As recession wracks Russia, there will be some willing to sign on to his irresponsible military adventurism. But as years drag on, Russian mothers will resent sending their sons to die in Syria as surely as they resented sending their sons to Afghanistan. And if Putin doesn't fear them, he's a fool.
"Never" Napoleon advised "interfere with the enemy when he is in the process of destroying himself." In propping up Bashar al-Assad, Putin is getting into a commitment with no good exit. al-Assad has killed far more innocent people than ISIS has, and is as hated by the world's Muslims--16 million of whom live in Russia. As recession wracks Russia, there will be some willing to sign on to his irresponsible military adventurism. But as years drag on, Russian mothers will resent sending their sons to die in Syria as surely as they resented sending their sons to Afghanistan. And if Putin doesn't fear them, he's a fool.
Barry Haskell Levine
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/07/opinion/vladimir-putin-motives-in-syria.html?_r=0
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