Putin Was Always Right About Syria

by Stephen Lendman

He understands what’s going on and how to resolve things responsibly - polar opposite Obama endless war agenda, blaming his high crimes on Assad.

In September 2013, The New York Times published Putin’s op-ed titled “A Plea for Caution from Russia,” saying:

Ongoing conflict in Syria “prompted (him) to speak directly (at) at a time of insufficient communication between our societies.” Post-WW II, the UN was “established to prevent such devastation from ever happening again.”

Yet it continues. Endless wars rage. UN members never stopped them. Most never tried. Too many partnered in waging them. America and rogue allies deplore peace and stability.

Putin’s agenda is polar opposite. He warned of the threat to world peace when countries like America take the law into their own hands, bypass the Security Council and do what they please, mindless of the consequences.

US-led Western policies “destabilize(d) the Middle East and North Africa.” War in Syria is “fueled by foreign weapons supplied to the opposition,” Putin explained.

Since Obama launched war in March 2011, he urged “peaceful dialogue” to end it - stressing Syrians alone should determine their future, for sure no outside powers.

International law must be respected, said Putin. “The law is still the law, and we must follow it whether we like it or not.”

“Under current international law, force is permitted only in self-defense or by the decision of the Security Council. Anything else is unacceptable under the United Nations Charter and would constitute an act of aggression.”

Putin expressed grave concern about America waging endless wars in multiple theaters. Does it serve its longterm interests, he asked? “I doubt it,” he said.

“Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force, cobbling coalitions together under the slogan ‘you’re either with us or against us.’ “

Force is “ineffective and pointless. Afghanistan is reeling.” Libya and Iraq are cauldrons of violence. And now Yemen. America bears full responsibility. Why do US officials “want to repeat (past) mistakes," Putin asked?

He warned about takfiri terrorists in Syria returning home battle-hardened, ready to challenge their home countries.

Responsible leadership demands settling conflicts diplomatically, doing everything possible to end them. Washington goes all-out to undermine efforts countering its imperial agenda.

Expect no constructive change following Putin’s Monday meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the 70th UN General Assembly session - no matter the post-meeting remarks.

Syria’s best chance for conflict resolution is stepped up Russian support - supplying more weapons, intelligence and other help against a regional terrorist threat able to spread elsewhere, with or without Western and/or regional involvement.

Wall Street Journal editors are worried. “Putin is on a Syria roll,” they said. His “strategy is working better than perhaps even he had hoped.” He’s “blowing up Mr. Obama’s Syria and Iraq strategy.”

Weeks earlier, Obama claimed his efforts were “doomed to failure.” His agenda is the only sensible one. He may be winning some Western countries over to his thinking.

Ending war in Syria and other US conflict theaters is the only way to stop human refugee floods fleeing to safe havens, Europe their favored destination, overwhelming the continent.

Journal editors are terrified at the prospect of US allies coming around to believe Putin knows best. If key ones like Germany and France ally with his war on ISIS proposal, it could be a regional game-changer. Hope springs eternal.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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