The Minister of Defense stood in front of him.
"Mr. President, the Chechens are about to be wiped out. Should we send the regular army up?"
Assad was silent for three seconds.
Then he shook his head.
"No."
The Minister of Defense was stunned.
"No?"
Assad stood up and walked to the window.
Outside the window, the sky over Damascus was blue and quiet.
"Wait until they are almost dead, then we'll go up."
He turned around.
"Those people are Chechens. Not Arabs. No matter how many die, it won't hurt."
12:00 PM, Mexico City, top floor of the "Feathered Serpent Temple."
Victor stood by the window, looking at Paseo de la Reforma outside.
Bramo pushed the door open and entered.
"The Mediterranean Fleet has set off. Two destroyers, three frigates, one supply ship. Expected to arrive in the Eastern Mediterranean in forty-eight hours."
Victor nodded.
"Also, there's news from Squid. Shamir wants to have a phone call with you."
Victor was silent for three seconds.
