[On March 15 am Manila time, the Russian Foreign Minister announced the start of withdrawal of troops and equipment from Syria because “the principal objective has been accomplished.” ]

Moscow has once again shaken up Syria — this time, by leaving it. Russian President Vladimir Putin, boasting that his military had fulfilled its mission to combat international terrorism, ordered his Defense Ministry to begin the withdrawal of Russian ground forces from the war-torn country starting March 15. But such an unexpected move raises a larger question over Russian strategy.

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