Putin as Pyhrrus Russia in Syria and Libya

Russia is perceived as being the winner in the Syrian civil war. With its covert involvement in Libya, Moscow is also seen as being in control of important positions in the western Mediterranean. This view is too short-sighted, however. Russia's military successes are built on feet of clay. In order to attain long-term strategic benefits from the open military intervention in Syria and the covert support of militias in Libya, Moscow would have to invest far more in both countries. If Russia brings these costly military campaigns to an end, however, it will quickly lose the military advantages that it has gained with so much effort.