David Filipov and Andrew Roth, Washington Post
Photo Credit: Vadim Savitsky/ AP
Russia ratified a treaty with Syria on Friday that gives Moscow its first permanent air base in the Middle East, a symbol of the Kremlin's desire to project strength overseas, as Russian officials considered renewing other Soviet-era bases in Cuba and Vietnam.
Friday's developments were largely symbolic: With the onslaught of Russian airstrikes in Syria, Moscow has left no doubt about its commitment to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad; there's no clear evidence that Cuba or Vietnam would be open to the return of the Russian military.
