The international community was caught off guard by Russian President Vladimir Putin's surpriseannouncement on Monday that it would be pulling much of its forces out of war-torn Syria. Russia has been an important ally for Syria's Bashar al-Assad.
The move has been welcomed by many working towards resolving the 5-year long war in ongoing peace talks taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.
What is the new political equation on the ground for the country as Russia exits and Kurdish fighters in the north declare partial autonomy from Syria?
Guest:
- Andrew Tabler, the Martin J Gross Fellow in the Program on Arab Politics at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy
*Tabler will be speaking at the Ambassador Luncheon Series for the World Affairs Council of San Antonio Tomorrowat the San Antonio Country Club