no the stuff is on a pier in easy sight on the ships as well as any onlookers (that are doubtlessly reporting to israel, nato, russia, and china to name a few). additionally the base is still nominally under russian control and has not been seized by the new syrian government or any other local forces. the russians have assembled what they need to fully evac (to their standards) the base just offshore (talking like a couple miles) and yet are waiting. clearly this is due to ongoing discussions. if we see them start steaming in and hurridly grabbing things it means talks broke down and they are trying to get what they can. if they come in slow and do it orderly (to their standards again) then they reached some agreement. if they fuck off then the bowed to the new government (whether they blow up the shit on the way out or not) and they will have fairly hostile relations with each other for quite some time. if i had to guess, they are trying to find some way to actually keep the base (itts pretty imporant and trying to setting up a replacement in like tunis or something would be very time/cost expensive). i do not think this outcome is likely though. they are probably keeping the negotiations open in order to light a fire under the west's ass to give them good relations so they don't climb back in bed with russia.
United States