Crisis In Syria: It's Not Over Yet
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Peaceful Negotiations? Unlikely. (Mark Rain, Creative Commons)
Many rejoiced Tuesday when President Obama announced the plan to work in cooperation with Russia (ironic isn’t it?).
SEE ALSO: Obama's Syria Speech
Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, shifted the world agenda in dealing with the August 21st chemical weapons attacks that took place in Damascus. In the time since the attacks, the international atmosphere had been nothing but serious debate of who would strike with military force. That all changed with an off-hand remark made by John Kerry and implemented by Putin himself.
The struggle now exists within the negotiating arena. In a New York Times op-ed, the Russian President calls on the United States to eliminate its option to use force. Putin claims, “We are not protecting the Syrian government, but international law.”
Of course he is protecting the Syrian government; it just so happens to work to our advantage.
The simplification of the next step towards a peaceful solution is nothing but false notions and fantasy. The real work is only just beginning.
For the time being, the use of force is on hold. While international cooperation is without a doubt the best path to take, what the American people and citizens of the world can’t forget is that the vote in Congress has merely been postponed and a deal has not been struck. The Syrian government works tightly with their Russian ally and Putin will not be so quick to throw them into a situation that is not beneficial in some way to both parties. Furthermore, if an agreement is reached, inherent difficulties exist in carrying out a plan to acquire and destroy Syria’s stock of chemical weapons. The civil war atmosphere makes it a dangerous mission with many possibilities for error and inconsistencies.
SEE ALSO: Assad Denies Responsibility For Gas Attack
In his article, Putin writes, “If we can avoid force against Syria, this will improve the atmosphere in international affairs and strengthen mutual trust.”
While true, apparent issues in mutual trust exist. A disagreement holds strong between the major powers of the world on who is responsible for the August 21st attacks. Furthermore, President Bashar Al-Assad and his forces are only considering negotiations because of Russia’s involvement. There has been increased speculation that Russia may just be buying time to prevent an attack against their ally. Syria has presented a bitter distrust towards the United States and up until a few days ago was awaiting America’s stern fist of force.
Putin’s proposal, that the Syrian government has agreed to, demands that Syria sign the Chemical Weapons Convention and place its stockpile under international control. A major problem exists in the fact that Russia will not support any measures that hold the Syrian government accountable for failing to divulge all of its weapons or for any violations of the convention in the future.
In this case, both Syria and Russia have nothing to lose. Putin has been quick to point fingers at the U.S. for acting in their own interests and yet Russia's opposition to such measures protects its ally and does little to ensure future security.
Russia has nothing but positive publicity to gain. On the one hand, they can continue to strengthen their alliance with Syria by looking out for Assad’s interests during negotiations. On the other hand, they gain the respect of key world actors by working towards a peaceful solution and makes the United States seem imprudent for always jumping to use force. Putin looks like a hero in this case, coming to the rescue to bail out President Obama.
Syria will not say no as long as Russia negotiates a case that doesn’t ultimately place them at a disadvantage in the civil war raging within Syria's borders. Without accountability, Assad can give up stockpiles upon stockpiles of weapons, but no fear will stop him from lying about, withholding or using chemical weapons again.
Read more Neon Tommy coverage of Syria here.
