Topic: Syria Withdrawal

Vladimir Putin announced a surprise partial withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria, claiming the military campaign fulfilled its primary objectives. Despite the pullout, Russia intends to maintain a permanent presence at the Latakia and Tartus bases while keeping S-400 missile defense systems active. Analysts suggest the move is a tactical play to force President Bashar al-Assad into peace negotiations in Geneva.

A theory is presented that the US withdrawal from Iraq in 2011 was timed to allow Iranian influence to flow into Syria, destabilizing the Assad regime in favor of radical Islamists. The hosts argue that American leaders like the Clintons and Bushes suffer from a "hubris" that prevents them from understanding the complex religious and cultural histories of the Middle East.