Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea forced us to recognize that we are confronting a challenge that many had assumed was resigned to the history booksa strong. militarilycapable Russia that is hostile to our interests and our values and seeks to challenge the international order that American leaders of both parties have sought to maintain since the end of World War II. Russia continues to destabilize Ukraine and menace our NATO allies in Europe with aggressive military behavior. And now. in a profound echo of the Cold War. Mr. Putin has deployed troops and tanks and combat aircraft to Syria. and they are conducting operations as we speak to shore up the Assad regimethe Assad regimewhich has slaughtered 240.000 of its citizens and driven millions into refugee status. And who are Mr. Putins forces bombing most of all?