"Putin is the new power in the Middle East, and his influence is growing."
And the US base in Manbij has just been handed over to the Russians.
"A stunning development in the key northern Syrian city of Manbij — the Pentagon has confirmed a planned handover to Russian military forces is underway amid a Turkish military assault on the region. This also hours after President Trump tweeted that Assad "wants naturally to protect the Kurds" and that the problem should be left to local powers."
