International security

Petraeus on Putin: His provocations are designed to protect his interests

In Syria, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s basic objectives is “to keep that naval base [at Tartus] and indeed to keep a base [in Latakia Province]” along the Mediterranean coast that “has been challenged increasingly in recent months by [the Islamic State] and then by other opposition forces.”

Putin also is concerned about Chechens fighting in Syria. “There’s a worry, of course, they’ll go back, presumably [to Russia], and be more effective” opposing Moscow.

Those are views voiced last Tuesday by David H. Petraeus, the retired Army general and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, during a multi-hour tutorial on the Middle East at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.