Vladimir Putin: Russia can make powerful Syria comeback within hours

Vladimir Putin said on 17 March that Russias military success in Syria had allowed him to order a partial draw down of forces, but stressed the Kremlin could scale up its presence again within hours and would continue to carry out air strikes there. The Russian president said the smaller strike force he had left behind in his closest Middle East ally was big enough to help forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad keep advancing. Mar 18, 2016