the middle east. russia is seen more responsibly as the responsible, predictable outside player. that s something you can t put a value on. but it s a huge game for putin. do you get a sense this was a coordinated effort by putin? obviously he s good friends with erdogan. he plans to have meeting with erdogan fairly soon. he s good friends with say sad as well. this is all coming together. has this been part of his grand scheme. i wouldn t actually be a grand scheme. i think puten is more of an opportunist than a great grand strategic planner. he s taken advantage of american moves, of american mistakes. he s become great friends with all the regional leaders that includes netanyahu in israel that includes mohammed bin salman in saudi arabia. you remember the high five putin and mbs exchanged last year.