Assad regime forces continue with a crackdown against protesters in the city of Hama, while reports of an agreement with the Arab League to “speed” the rate of reforms continues to be discussed.
Many in the opposition are doubtful that the reform process will actually move forward in a meaningful way, though the calls for massive UN Security Council action against the regime have also stalled, amid Russian concerns that NATO will use such a resolution to start another war.
Russia is pushing an alternative resolution that wouldn’t involve sanctions, and would instead urge talks between the regime and the top figures in the opposition. Syria’s opposition has already made some efforts to set up a leadership council, but exactly how broad its support is remains unclear.
Though the talks might not yield any results, they appear to be a more practical solution than the Western nations have put forth so far, which is to repeatedly insist reforms are impossible in the hopes that eventually an excuse for military intervention will present itself.
I would expect that the USA will never get another agreement with Russia after the screwing in Libya. The russian agreed to a fly zone which now has boots on the ground and total bombing campaign. There are no world organizations left. If the USA puts sanctions on Syria then some other nation will pick up the slack. The USA is already broke so the sanctions will probably hurt the USA more than the syrians. The USA has been imposing a lot of sanctions in the last few years. The USA economy has dropped like a rock during the time of the sanctions. Maybe someone should look at the sanctions and fire those idiots who suggest them.
If you support America you are supporting illegal wars because in the end thats always there aim.
Yep. They also keep hashing out pacts with Iran and have pledged their support to the Palestinians.
There is an interesting article in the Financial Times, "Russian Internet Front",
The authors are describing Russian Internet as almost impenetrable for the Western influence. Not because of the strict government control, but because Russian social portals are preferred by Russian users.
Foreign governments should heed the advice – give your youngsters social interaction withing your own culture, and they will be less inclined to believe that donning cowboy boots and grabbing AK-47 will make them American heroes. Too many of the recent uprisings are simply awful examples of young blood being directed toward violence… http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/7b186ad2-dd1f-11e0…