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comment by sandemon
sandemon  ·  3259 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: "...Russia can’t be Athens. It must be Sparta..."

It's a very interesting analysis. Those of us in the west are in danger of viewing Russia through a particular prism - our view of Putin is distorted by the naked torso pics that form a caricature view of a clever and determined leader - a lawyer and a spook who has been in situ for decades. Russia's incursion into Crimea maintains access to the sea and shores up the western border. The action in Syria positions Russia as a geostrategic player and also keeps a port open on the southern side. I ain't saying he's a nice guy but the West has underestimated him and right now he is having a moment there.