Voice of America quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John E. Herbst on Russian incursions into Syria:
“It suggests that Moscow, that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is trying to flex his muscles not just via aggression in Ukraine, not just by the sale of military equipment, but by the use of Russian military personnel in the Middle East,” said former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst.
The director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, Herbst warned that Russia’s efforts in Syria also must be viewed in light of its attempts, with some success, to increase arms sales throughout the Middle East, seeking deals with U.S. allies like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and even Iraq.