Palmyra’s liberation proves that despite the chatter earlier this month about Russia’s “withdrawal”, it was really just a strategic drawdown that still retained Moscow’s operational military capabilities.
The Syrian Arab Army also performed remarkably well in freeing the globally renowned town with few casualties and surprisingly little damage to the historical ruins, showcasing the professionalism of the military and its commanders.
With the former Roman settlement fully cleansed of Daesh terrorists, all eyes are on the future battles that are ahead, and whether Russia and Syria will immediately continue the Race for Raqqa or detour and fully liberate the strategic city Deir Ez-Zor first.
Vladimir Sotnikov, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies and analysis “Russia-East-West” (studio guest); Kevork Almassian, Syrian Researcher in International Relations (Germany); and George Malbrunot, Middle East correspondent, Le Figaro newspaper (France) joined us to share their views.
