Loki
09-11-2013, 12:00 PM
Russia's nimble footwork on Syria (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24045650)
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/69781000/jpg/_69781178_69781172.jpg
While President Obama has been accused of U-turns and zigzags on Syria, President Putin has been unshakeably opposed to a US strike
Vladimir Putin is often accused of sticking spanners in the works of international diplomacy.
But if Russia's initiative on Syria is successful, it would be a huge diplomatic coup for the Kremlin leader.
Averting a US military strike on a key ally in the Middle East, while removing the threat from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons: that would already be seen as a stunning success for Moscow.
According to several Russian newspapers this morning, it would also allow US President Barack Obama to "save face", by removing the need for a military action most Americans are uneasy with.
On the issue of Syria, Russia seems to have kept one step ahead of the United States.
While President Obama has been accused of U-turns and zigzags, of drawing red lines and being slow to act on them, President Putin has been as solid and unshakeable as the Kremlin walls: consistently opposed to a US strike.
The Kremlin's not for turning. What's more, Russia believes that its message has been getting through and that its tough stance has helped dilute international support for US military action.
Last week, the UN, the EU and the Vatican all expressed their support for a political solution.
Even if the Russian initiative eventually unravels amid bickering and paralysis in the Security Council, Moscow can still argue that at least it tried to find a peaceful solution.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/69781000/jpg/_69781178_69781172.jpg
While President Obama has been accused of U-turns and zigzags on Syria, President Putin has been unshakeably opposed to a US strike
Vladimir Putin is often accused of sticking spanners in the works of international diplomacy.
But if Russia's initiative on Syria is successful, it would be a huge diplomatic coup for the Kremlin leader.
Averting a US military strike on a key ally in the Middle East, while removing the threat from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons: that would already be seen as a stunning success for Moscow.
According to several Russian newspapers this morning, it would also allow US President Barack Obama to "save face", by removing the need for a military action most Americans are uneasy with.
On the issue of Syria, Russia seems to have kept one step ahead of the United States.
While President Obama has been accused of U-turns and zigzags, of drawing red lines and being slow to act on them, President Putin has been as solid and unshakeable as the Kremlin walls: consistently opposed to a US strike.
The Kremlin's not for turning. What's more, Russia believes that its message has been getting through and that its tough stance has helped dilute international support for US military action.
Last week, the UN, the EU and the Vatican all expressed their support for a political solution.
Even if the Russian initiative eventually unravels amid bickering and paralysis in the Security Council, Moscow can still argue that at least it tried to find a peaceful solution.