On Tuesday, Vincent Hervouet analyzes the role played by the Russians in the Turkish-Syrian conflict and more generally in the Middle East.
Putin in the Middle East is anti-Trump. The American despises the tribal wars that he is in a hurry to desert. In September, he abandons the Saudis under the Iranian attacks. In October, he drops the Kurds.
The Russian, on the contrary, has been prospering for four years in the eastern chaos. He saved the Syrian state that was going to collapse. He tracks down the jihadists who have come from his home. He talks to everyone and sells weapons everywhere. He is the champion of Eastern Christians. Donald is inconstant, Vladimir unavoidable. Yesterday was the consecration of his Arab policy. On a Russian base, the return of the Syrian army welcomed as a liberator in Kurdistan was negotiated. All rely on Russian weapons to change the course of the battle.
And yesterday, Putin himself was greeted at Ryad at the sound of the cannon, the guard on horseback carrying the flags with the two-headed eagle. With old King Salman, they signed a pact on the price of oil. This morning, the United Arab Emirates roll out the red carpet. In the Gulf as in the Middle East, Russia is supplanting America. If a peace happens in Syria or Iran, it will be signed in Russia. Moscow plays the peacemakers and also the warmongers. The only thing that does not change is Europe helpless on the balcony.