The ulterior motive behind Russia’s partial Syria withdrawal (Garrett I. Campbell, Brookings)

With great fanfare and “surprise” Russia once again seemingly out-maneuvered Western leadership in Syria. While much ink has been spilled debating whether President Vladimir Putin is executing a sound strategy—or is merely a tactical opportunist—it is clear that he has achieved his primary strategic goal: making Russia geopolitically relevant again and forcing the West to begrudgingly accept that it must take into account Russian interests. But there is an ulterior motive to Putin’s partial withdrawal.

http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/order-from-chaos/posts/2016/03/18-russian-withdrawal-from-syria-campbell