Syria war: How Moscow’s bombing campaign has paid off for Putin - BBC News

It's hard for Americans to understand. Russia is not America. It is nothing like America. Never has been. Never will be. It's popular culture has always centered on strong leaders. No milquetoast like President Obama would long survive there. Displays of power, futile or not, are displays of manliness, strong leadership, the kind the people of Russia want and need. I helped a friend secure employment with a company setting up a business center in Moscow shortly after the dismemberment of the USSR. He had dreams of introducing capitalism to the Russians. I warned him that wasn't going to happen for several generations if ever. He would have to wait for the generation that still pined for the days of Stalin to die off and maybe a new generation would arise that would embrace individualism. Well, it's been a while now and it hasn't happened yet, has it? Thus, Putin's displays of machismo are playing well and will continue to play well.

One big training exercises for the Russians.

That is a valid reason for occasionally entering in combat, when involvement is justified for other reasons. What was our status when war broke out in Korea and Iraq? Unfortunately, Russia seems to be getting lots of combat experience.