Posted on 12/10/2017 8:47:29 PM PST by Michael van der Galien
It is generally believed in European and American political circles that Russia owns Iran and Syria. Vladimir Putin is the puppeteer who pulls on Bashar al-Assad's and Ali Khamenei's strings whenever he wants. If then, the Iranian issue and the problems in Syria are to be solved, we only need to get Russia on our side and all will be well.
Although this is exactly what Putin wants the West to believe, the truth is far more complicated. Yes, he certainly has some influence in and over Syria and Iran, but he's no master puppeteer. Instead, he, Assad and Khamenei are all trying to defend their own interests. When those interests line up, they work together. But when they don't? Well, then they'll do whatever is best for them while hoping that this decision doesn't create too much trouble with the other two.
Writing for Al-Monitor, Maxim A. Suchkov explains:
'Russia has palpable influence in some major areas, such as the military and intelligence. Russian military instructors are training the Syrian army, Russian officers have planned major offenses for government forces and in private chats, and Russian diplomats would say Assad is listening to what the Kremlin has to say. At the same time, Moscow has no illusions about Assad’s personal loyalty or his ambitions to keep his power, despite Russian efforts for a political settlement and talks with the opposition."
As for Iran:
'Russia and Iran are “strategic singles” in the international and regional arenas, and each ultimately has a strong sense of self. But they share an affinity for the way things are shaping up in the Mideast, and they intend to have each other as partners rather than adversaries.'
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
Russia is only in the Middle East to do the bidding of Iran, and to maintain a warm water port.
Right now, Khamenei is pulling Putin’s strings more than the other way around.
The article actually describes healthy diplomacy as some sort of weakness and advocates empire at the same time. Since then the latter is an American way? Has it helped US achieve a thing in the Middle East since it has become a norm? Also a position of US as a senior player to say Saudi Arabia is questionable too.
The USSR looked invincible, right up to the day it collapsed.
Who is selling the Uranium Iran wants?
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