War drums fall, and Putin makes the first move

Putin's move to what is a global crisis was expected, given that a fight against Iran is not a regional issue.

Visiting Syria, Putin implied that the Middle East remains a priority for Moscow. He could not visit Tehran, for he would have entered directly into the critical situation, which he wants to avoid, but his journey to Damascus has the same value.

An important move. If there is a war, that's the message, Moscow won't stand and look, even though the modalities of her stay are still undefined.

And it seems an affirmation, that Russian forces deployed in Syria will protect Damascus from possible aggression, which are not exempt given that there are military groups associated with Tehran in this country.

The visit that can't save anyone, Putin's, who except for driving his own car through the streets of Damascus, has visited both the Russian armed forces located in the country and some important buildings in Damascus, including the Umayad Grand Mosque and the holy site of St John the Baptizer, where he noted his presence in the special registry.

He also visited the cathedral of Damascus, the oldest church in the city, and the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and the entire East, donating an icon that depicts the Virgin Mary (at news from the Syrian Sana agency).

In an interview with Ria Novosti in mid-February, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said: Russia's “military presence in Syria is primarily aimed at maintaining balance in the world, as today's world does not live by the criteria based on legitimacy, but obeys the principle of force. That's why Russian military influence is needed to maintain a world balance”. Words that sound more current today than ever. /Il Gyornale World.al