Master of Syrian Skies: Russia Showed US 'Who is the Boss' in Mideast

© Sputnik / Dmitriy Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankRussian warplanes at Hemeimeem air base in Syria
Russian warplanes at Hemeimeem air base in Syria - Sputnik International
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Russia has showed the Obama administration "who is boss in the Middle East," Washington Times columnist L. Todd Wood asserted. Similar comments reflect the true state of affairs in Syria, but they are also used to influence public opinion during the US election campaign, political analyst Ivan Konovalov asserted.

The Pentagon prides itself on being capable to maintain air superiority in any theater, but US warplanes were unable to do that last week in Syria even though "President Obama sent two aircraft carriers to the Med to make a point and beat his chest in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin," L. Todd Wood observed. "It's good there is only a few months left of the Obama presidency."

Russian aircraft have made a real difference in the war-torn Arab country, while the US-led coalition has been unable to do that, the expert noted. This fact has not been lost on Washington.

In this Monday, June 15, 2015 file photo taken from the Turkish side of the border between Turkey and Syria, in Akcakale, southeastern Turkey, Kurdish fighters with the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, wave their yellow triangular flag in the outskirts of Tal Abyad, Syria - Sputnik International
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"The United States has realized that Russia has an upper hand in Syria and that something has to be done about it. The Americans don't like to lose. This is their worst nightmare. This is why they are reacting so strongly," Konovalov, who heads the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, told Svobodnaya Pressa.

But the upcoming US presidential election is also a factor. The Republicans have tried to score points by accusing Barack Obama of not being tough on Syria. Even Hillary Clinton has pledged to carry out a more assertive foreign policy in the war-torn country if she gets elected.

"Everyone is trying to use Syria to further their own agenda during the election season. Some try to paint Russia as a malevolent rival. Those who are smarter describe Moscow as a cunning opponent and advocate team work," he explained.

June 7, 2016. Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a concert devoted to the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Russian-Israeli diplomatic relations in the Bolshoi Theater. - Sputnik International
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For its part, Moscow has always maintained that terrorism is the key challenge that the world has to tackle through joint efforts. In other words, defeating Daesh is not a contest on who kills more jihadists.

Russian military expert Viktor Litovkin echoed this sentiment, but questioned Obama's stated commitment to tackling the terrorists who are trying to establish an Islamic caliphate in Syria.

"We are not going to compete with the US over who rules Syrian skies. Syria is a sovereign country whom we are helping in its fight against terrorism. The United States has put on a show that they are fighting terrorists. Washington's true goal is to overthrow Bashar al-Assad's government," he noted.

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