John Lechner

Yeah, it was an effort.

Yeah, it was an effort.

It was an effort because, in part, there's always a lot of reasons why things happen, but the timing of their intervention, because if you remember, Syria started going into civil war right around the time of the Arab Spring. So this is already like five years before that.

It was an effort because, in part, there's always a lot of reasons why things happen, but the timing of their intervention, because if you remember, Syria started going into civil war right around the time of the Arab Spring. So this is already like five years before that.

It was an effort because, in part, there's always a lot of reasons why things happen, but the timing of their intervention, because if you remember, Syria started going into civil war right around the time of the Arab Spring. So this is already like five years before that.

the Russians didn't have any particular love for Assad, despite the fact that there was a Russian base in Syria and kind of some history going back to the Soviet Union. What really explains the timing of why they went in was this sense of isolation that they felt after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 in Ukraine. And it was this effort

the Russians didn't have any particular love for Assad, despite the fact that there was a Russian base in Syria and kind of some history going back to the Soviet Union. What really explains the timing of why they went in was this sense of isolation that they felt after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 in Ukraine. And it was this effort

the Russians didn't have any particular love for Assad, despite the fact that there was a Russian base in Syria and kind of some history going back to the Soviet Union. What really explains the timing of why they went in was this sense of isolation that they felt after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 in Ukraine. And it was this effort

to basically get themselves onto the world stage again in a crisis that they thought was existentially important to the West, which was the defeat of ISIS. Of course, also when they show up and they're on the ground, Assad also has different ideas for what he wants the Russians to do, and ISIS is less of a concern to him. than a lot of the more secular rebels elsewhere as well.

to basically get themselves onto the world stage again in a crisis that they thought was existentially important to the West, which was the defeat of ISIS. Of course, also when they show up and they're on the ground, Assad also has different ideas for what he wants the Russians to do, and ISIS is less of a concern to him. than a lot of the more secular rebels elsewhere as well.

to basically get themselves onto the world stage again in a crisis that they thought was existentially important to the West, which was the defeat of ISIS. Of course, also when they show up and they're on the ground, Assad also has different ideas for what he wants the Russians to do, and ISIS is less of a concern to him. than a lot of the more secular rebels elsewhere as well.

And that he wants the Russians to go after those guys. Whereas the Russians want to go try and meet up with the Americans as they're closing in on ISIS, as the territorial caliphate is kind of crumbling down.

And that he wants the Russians to go after those guys. Whereas the Russians want to go try and meet up with the Americans as they're closing in on ISIS, as the territorial caliphate is kind of crumbling down.

And that he wants the Russians to go after those guys. Whereas the Russians want to go try and meet up with the Americans as they're closing in on ISIS, as the territorial caliphate is kind of crumbling down.

Like, why did Progozhin want to take these Conoco facilities? And so in 2016, Murat and Wagner, they capture Palmyra from ISIS. And Murat has, I think, some of the medals from that time period that they'll show. But after the capture, the Russian military sends Wagner home again.

Like, why did Progozhin want to take these Conoco facilities? And so in 2016, Murat and Wagner, they capture Palmyra from ISIS. And Murat has, I think, some of the medals from that time period that they'll show. But after the capture, the Russian military sends Wagner home again.

Like, why did Progozhin want to take these Conoco facilities? And so in 2016, Murat and Wagner, they capture Palmyra from ISIS. And Murat has, I think, some of the medals from that time period that they'll show. But after the capture, the Russian military sends Wagner home again.

And then a few months later, ISIS recaptures it, Palmyra, and Wagner comes back in. But this time, Prigozhin has signed a deal with Assad's government. And part of the deal is that Wagner will participate in the counteroffensive. And Prigozhin and his companies get a 25% share of the proceeds of the oil and gas assets that are recuperated.

And then a few months later, ISIS recaptures it, Palmyra, and Wagner comes back in. But this time, Prigozhin has signed a deal with Assad's government. And part of the deal is that Wagner will participate in the counteroffensive. And Prigozhin and his companies get a 25% share of the proceeds of the oil and gas assets that are recuperated.

And then a few months later, ISIS recaptures it, Palmyra, and Wagner comes back in. But this time, Prigozhin has signed a deal with Assad's government. And part of the deal is that Wagner will participate in the counteroffensive. And Prigozhin and his companies get a 25% share of the proceeds of the oil and gas assets that are recuperated.