Putin's comments on the HTS takeover in Syria were almost certainly ironic. They were made in response to a Western journalist effectively taunting him about what a disaster Russia had suffered as a result of the triumph of HTS. Putin, characteristically, turned the coin over, saying that Russia's goal in aiding Assad was to prevent the takeover of another state in the region by Salafists. He cited Western media that have presented HTS as effectively liberals, tolerant of the huge diversity within Syria and ready to join the world as a moderate government. If that's the case -- and I would wager that Putin is under no such delusion -- then Russia has succeeded in preventing Salafists from controlling another state. It's turned them into the liberals that the West claims to love. He was laughing at Western propagandists.
Putin's comments on the HTS takeover in Syria were almost certainly ironic. They were made in response to a Western journalist effectively taunting him about what a disaster Russia had suffered as a result of the triumph of HTS. Putin, characteristically, turned the coin over, saying that Russia's goal in aiding Assad was to prevent the takeover of another state in the region by Salafists. He cited Western media that have presented HTS as effectively liberals, tolerant of the huge diversity within Syria and ready to join the world as a moderate government. If that's the case -- and I would wager that Putin is under no such delusion -- then Russia has succeeded in preventing Salafists from controlling another state. It's turned them into the liberals that the West claims to love. He was laughing at Western propagandists.
Very helpful commentary Larry; I expect you are right.