STEPHEN LENDMAN: In early December, Putin was way premature claiming
ISIS and other (US-supported) terrorists defeated in Syria. He erred in
returning most Russian forces home,
believing a small remaining contingent enough to help government and
allied forces achieve conflict resolution, along with talks in Astana,
Geneva and Sochi. Following Russia’s partial withdrawal, ISIS is
resurgent thanks to US support, recruiting and pouring more of its
fighters into Syria.