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Submission: On December 13 via api from BE — Scanned from CA
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Accessibility statementSkip to main content Democracy Dies in Darkness SubscribeSign in Advertisement Democracy Dies in Darkness OpinionsColumnsEditorialsGuest OpinionsCartoonsLetters to the EditorSubmit a Guest OpinionSubmit a Letter OpinionsColumnsEditorialsGuest OpinionsCartoonsLetters to the EditorSubmit a Guest OpinionSubmit a Letter Opinion Fareed Zakaria RUSSIA IS WEAKER THAN YOU THINK Assad was a valuable client for Putin. And he couldn’t save him. December 13, 2024 at 6:45 a.m. ESTToday at 6:45 a.m. EST 5 min 955 In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin makes a speech Thursday. (Gavriil Grigorov/AFP via Getty Images) The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria should be a reminder of a general truth that often gets obscured in the blizzard of conflicting and contradictory news stories that absorb us day to day: The West’s adversaries are often weaker than we think. Make sense of the latest news and debates with our daily newsletter Recall how for decades the United States overestimated the strength of the Soviet economy and armed forces, the surety with which it claimed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and the frequent scares around Islamist militant groups such as al-Qaeda and more recently Hezbollah. Yet, over time what often becomes apparent is that these governments and groups are repressive, corrupt and dysfunctional — not attributes that help them thrive in the modern world. Share 955 Comments Popular opinions articles HAND CURATED * Opinion Editorial Board All the light we would rather not see December 11, 2024 * Opinion David Ignatius Syrian rebels had help from Ukraine in humiliating Russia December 10, 2024 * Opinion Catherine Rampell The GOP’s top priority for 2025: Repeal the laws of arithmetic December 10, 2024 View 3 more storiesView 3 more stories NewsletterMon-Sat Opinions Headlines The best of The Post’s opinions and commentary, in your inbox every morning. Sign up Subscribe to comment and get the full experience. Choose your plan → Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Company About The Post Newsroom Policies & Standards Diversity & Inclusion Careers Media & Community Relations WP Creative Group Accessibility Statement Sections Trending Politics Elections Opinions National World Style Sports Business Climate Well+Being D.C., Md., & Va. Obituaries Weather Arts & Entertainments Recipes Get The Post Manage Your Subscription Become a Subscriber Gift Subscriptions Mobile & Apps Newsletters & Alerts Washington Post Live Reprints & Permissions Post Store Books & E-Books Print Special Editions Store Print Archives (Subscribers Only) Today’s Paper Public Notices Contact Us Contact the Newsroom Contact Customer Care Contact the Opinions Team Advertise Licensing & Syndication Request a Correction Send a News Tip Report a Vulnerability Terms of Use Digital Products Terms of Sale Print Products Terms of Sale Terms of Service Privacy Policy Cookie Settings Submissions & Discussion Policy RSS Terms of Service Sitemap Ad Choices washingtonpost.com © 1996-2024 The Washington Post COMPANY CHEVRON ICON Diversity & Inclusion Careers Media & Community Relations WP Creative Group Accessibility Statement SECTIONS CHEVRON ICON Trending Politics Elections Opinions National World Style Sports Business Climate Well+Being D.C., Md., & Va. Obituaries Weather Arts & Entertainments Recipes GET THE POST CHEVRON ICON Manage Your Subscription Become a Subscriber Gift Subscriptions Mobile & Apps Newsletters & Alerts Washington Post Live Reprints & Permissions Post Store Books & E-Books Print Special Editions Store Print Archives (Subscribers Only) Today’s Paper Public Notices CONTACT US CHEVRON ICON Contact the Newsroom Contact Customer Care Contact the Opinions Team Advertise Licensing & Syndication Request a Correction Send a News Tip Report a Vulnerability Download the Washington Post App * About The Post * Policies & Standards * Digital Products Terms of Sale * Print Products Terms of Sale * Terms of Service * Privacy Policy * Cookie Settings * Submissions & Discussion Policy * RSS Terms of Service * Sitemap * Ad Choices * washingtonpost.com * © 1996-2024 The Washington Post 5.31.6 Already a subscriber? Sign in GET UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE WASHINGTON POST You can cancel anytime. MONTHLY CA$1 every week for the first year billed as CA$4 every 4 weeks YEARLY CA$100 CA$39 for the first yearBEST VALUE * Unlimited access on the web and in our apps * 24/7 live news updates Add your email address By creating your account, you agree to The Washington Post's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The Washington Post may use my email address to provide me occasional special offers via email and through other platforms. I can opt out at any time. Card View more offers