http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/30241577/amid-russian-airstrikes-a-putin-craze-takes-hold-in-mideast
Amid Russian airstrikes, a Putin craze takes hold in Mideast
BEIRUT (AP) - Amid the ornate walls of Damascus' famed Omayyad Mosque, preacher Maamoun Rahmeh stood before worshippers last week, declaring Russian President Vladimir Putin a "giant and beloved leader" who has "destroyed the myth of the self-aggrandizing America."
"Putin does more than just speak," said Sohban Elewi of Damascus, summing up the views of Syrians on opposing camps who regard U.S. policy in Syria and Iraq as fumbled and confused.
Buried between paintings of Baghdad architecture, mosques and landscapes, some art shops in Baghdad have begun selling portraits of Putin, a tribute to his intervention in what Iraqis see as the new military front against IS.
"Russia does not play games. They are problem solvers, and they do it quietly and efficiently, not like the Americans who prefer to do everything in front of the cameras," said Hussein Karim, a 21-year-old medical student from Baghdad.
Another cartoon shows a bare-chested Putin holding IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by the collar of his jalabaya, looking very intimidating. He says to al-Baghdadi: "Where do you think you're going? I'll flatten you like flour," a popular Iraqi expression.
Al-Baghdadi, holding a cellphone, shouts: "Obama, save me!"
Most of the cartoons portray Putin as muscular - a perception that echoes the one at home in Russia, where he has cultivated an image as a man of action.
But the Russian airstrikes also have drawn the ire of rebels in Syria who have formed a joint operations room to fight the new foe.
At a recent demonstration in the northern city of Idlib, armed rebels set fire to a Russian flag. "We will trample on your heads," read one banner, addressing the Russians.
Pretty surprising to see that. It's almost like there are several groups with divergent interests in the area.
Obama has been very week and ineffectual through this whole crisis that is for sure.
Even if half Putin's bombs hit the wrong people as long as at least some of them hit ISIS he is doing something :-/
It's early in the game. Let's see how they feel later when Russia is there for a while. Even the US was welcome early on when toppling Saddam.
Russia is still a non-Muslim nation and eventually they will be seen as an invader also.
Muslims gonna Muslim.
Marcus Agrippa - Obama has been very week and ineffectual through this whole crisis that is for sure.America is making and has made the grave mistakes that the late great General Norman Schwarzkopf warned about.
Even if half Putin's bombs hit the wrong people as long as at least some of them hit ISIS he is doing something :-/
kanotoa - Id like to see a poll on what the people actually want. I thought the people hated Assadhttp://www.dw.com/en/survey-leaves-no-doubt-syrians-are-fleeing-assad/a-18775789
Mark Antony's hangover -Marcus Agrippa - Obama has been very week and ineffectual through this whole crisis that is for sure.America is making and has made the grave mistakes that the late great General Norman Schwarzkopf warned about.
Even if half Putin's bombs hit the wrong people as long as at least some of them hit ISIS he is doing something :-/
what are you referring to, sir?
StrikingMMA -He was one of the first Americans to serve in Vietnam and saw the disastrous effects the military strategy, politics and society had on the outcome. He warned of similar strategies used in future wars, I believe after his major success in the gulf war and after his retirement.Mark Antony's hangover -Marcus Agrippa - Obama has been very week and ineffectual through this whole crisis that is for sure.America is making and has made the grave mistakes that the late great General Norman Schwarzkopf warned about.
Even if half Putin's bombs hit the wrong people as long as at least some of them hit ISIS he is doing something :-/
what are you referring to, sir?
For example, the article talks about how America needs to do everything in front of the cameras. When Schwarzkopf blitzed the Hussein and the republican guard he ordered a total media blackout, only cooperating and allowing major media coverage after the republican guard was largely defeated.
What? An Assad talking head is praising Putin for hitting rebels who the US has been supporting in an attempt to oust Assad? Assad, who Putin sees as his gateway to power/influence in the region? There are political cartoons that depict Putin as a hero? Woah. Earth shattering.
bbbbbbut climate change bruh!!!
StrikingMMA - It's early in the game. Let's see how they feel later when Russia is there for a while. Even the US was welcome early on when toppling Saddam.
Russia is still a non-Muslim nation and eventually they will be seen as an invader also.
Muslims gonna Muslim.
Totally different. Putin's plan is to help Assad stay in power, not capture him, assassinate him and then turn the country over to terrorists.
Lies!!! "The Middle East will love us after we elect the Obama."
Good, let the Russians get bogged down in the middle east again. It would be nice to take some of the heat off the US.
Russian can have that shit show.