Russia Did Well to Capitalize on Syria Strategic Openings - Ex-USAF Official

Former US Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula claims that the Russians should be admired for reinserting themselves into the Middle East by taking advantage of strategic openings created by the United State.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Russians should be admired for reinserting themselves into the Middle East by taking advantage of strategic openings created by the United States, former US Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance Lt. Gen. David Deptula told Sputnik on Monday.

"Quite frankly, the Russians have to be admired for capitalizing on a set of strategic circumstances left open by the United States in Syria and then reasserting themselves into the Middle East," Deptula stated.

Deptula noted that the United States and Russia have a mutual interest in working against a common enemy, the Islamic State terror group.

"Just because we don't agree on a lot of things does not mean we can't work on some things," he maintained.

Deptula further noted that maintaining dialogue and negotiation are very important.

"The fact of the matter is that progress can be made if there is agreement on specific operations and strategic objectives," he added.

Deptula was the principal air attack coordinator for Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and is the US Air Force Association’s Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.