That baton has clearly been passed to Washington.
Excerpt, Op-Ed Piece by Russian President Putin, New York Times, Sept. 11, 2013:
* * *
¶ The potential strike by the United States against Syria, despite strong opposition from many countries and major political and religious leaders, including the pope, will result in more innocent victims and escalation, potentially spreading the conflict far beyond Syria’s borders. A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance.
¶ Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition in a multireligious country. There are few champions of democracy in Syria. But there are more than enough Qaeda fighters and extremists of all stripes battling the government. The United States State Department has designated Al Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, fighting with the opposition, as terrorist organizations. This internal conflict, fueled by foreign weapons supplied to the opposition, is one of the bloodiest in the world.
¶ Mercenaries from Arab countries fighting there, and hundreds of militants from Western countries and even Russia, are an issue of our deep concern. Might they not return to our countries with experience acquired in Syria? After all, after fighting in Libya, extremists moved on to Mali. This threatens us all.
* * *
Excerpt, Op-Ed Piece by Russian President Putin, New York Times, Sept. 11, 2013:
* * *
¶ The potential strike by the United States against Syria, despite strong opposition from many countries and major political and religious leaders, including the pope, will result in more innocent victims and escalation, potentially spreading the conflict far beyond Syria’s borders. A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance.
¶ Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition in a multireligious country. There are few champions of democracy in Syria. But there are more than enough Qaeda fighters and extremists of all stripes battling the government. The United States State Department has designated Al Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, fighting with the opposition, as terrorist organizations. This internal conflict, fueled by foreign weapons supplied to the opposition, is one of the bloodiest in the world.
¶ Mercenaries from Arab countries fighting there, and hundreds of militants from Western countries and even Russia, are an issue of our deep concern. Might they not return to our countries with experience acquired in Syria? After all, after fighting in Libya, extremists moved on to Mali. This threatens us all.
* * *
Hey, when he's right, he's right.
ReplyDeleteThe entity formerly known as ISIS seems to be inspiring the world to come together as never before.
I heard a report that Iran sent some troops to fight beside the Kurds, under the cover of US airstrikes.
Also, Syria has announced it is open to US airstrikes against ISIS if authorized by the UNSC.
So Putin now might put up or shut up - he can't very well play the spoiler and protect ISIS in Syria now by vetoing such a resolution.
Nobody wants to fight another war but ISIS is gaining status as hostis humani generis and will be treated as such - not least for the reason Putin stated - the danger to the West comes from the Western jihadis who head home...
Oh, and this.
ReplyDeleteWow, In my opinion, when a member of the Al Saud family makes such a statement the tide has finally turned towards sanity regarding Israel, the Palestinians and the latest terrorist network that threatens everyone. I'm having nightmares that they will get their hands on the Pakistani nukes.
DeleteI hope and pray this statement is sincere and that the ME countries that want peace for their citizens are finally seeing the light.
Yeah. That article left me full of boggle.
DeleteI left this comment at annie's blog.