The deeper involvement of Russia in Syria and the brazen, unjustified support for Bashar Al Assad by Vladimir Putin are becoming clearer by the day. This also comes at a time when the world is starting to think of finding a solution to the Syrian crisis after an exodus of migrants to Europe. Moscow has been trying to muddy the waters and up the stakes, thus complicating efforts for a solution. The only way to bring peace to Syria is by ousting Assad and Putin’s fervent support for the Syrian dictator makes this task extremely difficult.
Latest reports indicate the Russian military buildup in Syria could consist of combat aircraft that are capable of striking ground targets, providing close air support and intercepting aircraft, and small numbers of main battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers to transport troops to the battlefield. The US calls the Russian buildup in Syria ‘significant and a Washington official said it would represent “the first major expeditionary force deployment” outside the former Soviet space that Moscow has undertaken since the war in Afghanistan.
The Russian presence has complicated peace efforts. The policy of Arab countries and the US has been that Assad must leave office in order to resolve the years-long civil war. There are only two ways of making Assad leave office: the military option by defeating his forces on the ground, or through concerted international pressure. Moscow has made both difficult. The international community will first have to speak to Russia to stop its intervention, and the chances of Putin wholeheartedly agreeing to any such demand are remote because the Russian leader is on a mission to expand his influence and settle scores with the US and Europe. Any fruitful talks with Assad are possible only if Moscow gives the green talks.
Washington is already in talks with Moscow to find a way out of the impasse. The US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter spoke with his Russian counterpart on Friday to discuss the issue. Carter and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu agreed to “further discuss mechanisms for de-confliction in Syria,” Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said as the US and its allies continue military operations against ISIS inside Syria.
US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday said that Assad has to go but the timing of his departure should be decided through negotiations. But Kerry had no idea how this objective could be achieved. “We’re prepared to negotiate. Is Assad prepared to negotiate, really negotiate? Is Russia prepared to bring him to the table and actually find the solution to this violence?” he asked.
The Syrian crisis is getting tangled in several knots. It’s also unfortunate that the world is yet to approach the issue with the seriousness it deserves•
The deeper involvement of Russia in Syria and the brazen, unjustified support for Bashar Al Assad by Vladimir Putin are becoming clearer by the day. This also comes at a time when the world is starting to think of finding a solution to the Syrian crisis after an exodus of migrants to Europe. Moscow has been trying to muddy the waters and up the stakes, thus complicating efforts for a solution. The only way to bring peace to Syria is by ousting Assad and Putin’s fervent support for the Syrian dictator makes this task extremely difficult.
Latest reports indicate the Russian military buildup in Syria could consist of combat aircraft that are capable of striking ground targets, providing close air support and intercepting aircraft, and small numbers of main battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers to transport troops to the battlefield. The US calls the Russian buildup in Syria ‘significant and a Washington official said it would represent “the first major expeditionary force deployment” outside the former Soviet space that Moscow has undertaken since the war in Afghanistan.
The Russian presence has complicated peace efforts. The policy of Arab countries and the US has been that Assad must leave office in order to resolve the years-long civil war. There are only two ways of making Assad leave office: the military option by defeating his forces on the ground, or through concerted international pressure. Moscow has made both difficult. The international community will first have to speak to Russia to stop its intervention, and the chances of Putin wholeheartedly agreeing to any such demand are remote because the Russian leader is on a mission to expand his influence and settle scores with the US and Europe. Any fruitful talks with Assad are possible only if Moscow gives the green talks.
Washington is already in talks with Moscow to find a way out of the impasse. The US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter spoke with his Russian counterpart on Friday to discuss the issue. Carter and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu agreed to “further discuss mechanisms for de-confliction in Syria,” Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said as the US and its allies continue military operations against ISIS inside Syria.
US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday said that Assad has to go but the timing of his departure should be decided through negotiations. But Kerry had no idea how this objective could be achieved. “We’re prepared to negotiate. Is Assad prepared to negotiate, really negotiate? Is Russia prepared to bring him to the table and actually find the solution to this violence?” he asked.
The Syrian crisis is getting tangled in several knots. It’s also unfortunate that the world is yet to approach the issue with the seriousness it deserves•
