Russia’s efforts to secure some sort of unity government in Syria, encompassing both the Assad government and the more palatable rebel factions to fight jointly against ISIS appear to have borne fruit today, as President Putin announced that Assad is on board with the idea.
Putin says Assad is ready for “snap elections” for parliament and a power-sharing deal with the (rebel) opposition parties if it means unifying against the extremist groups. Putin also confirmed ongoing talks with the US and other international communities to approve it.
The real challenge, however, will be getting the Syrian rebels themselves on board. So far that’s been a non-starter, as they haven’t even gotten them to agree to talk to the Assad government, let alone countenance some serious power-sharing agreement.
The rebel groups have maintained Assad can’t be part of any “unity” government, which of course defeats the purpose, because neither side is strong enough to seriously challenge ISIS on their own.
Russia has been determined to keep Assad in power from the start, ensuring they keep their lone Mediterranean naval base, but as the war turns worse has urged Assad to give up some power to unify with the more palatable forces.
The real problem is not getting the rebels on board, or the Americans, or the Saudis. The real problem is that the Israelis are happy to see Syria burn, and through their neocons, will prevent any American leader from even breathing a suggestion that Assad might stay. Israel wants Syria gone, to pay for the crimes of Assad senior and the scare that Syria gave Israel during the 1973 war.
If Obama was to suggest laying off Assad the Neocon media would freak out with cries of "Munich", and "support for a dictator".
Israel, as most usual, will get its way, and ISIS will eventually rule Damascus. And the 12 million Syrians who are not yet refugees will join the other 12 million trying to get out of Syria.
I was going to say, "Oh, Israel isn't going to like that," but you beat me to it. Good comment. The only thing I would add is that it's not just payback for 1973, but that Israel wants to eliminate Iranian and Syrian support for Hezbollah, so it can take and keep southern Lebanon and take its resources, mostly water.
<The rebel groups have maintained Assad can’t be part of any “unity” government>
-because that's the instruction they've received from Obama & Co.
This sounds just like Ukraine. Putin announces a "miracle" solution but then, aw shucks, those nasties on the other side just won't agree. So nothing happens. Putin is just a windbag. He talks big but there's nothing behind it.
One can only hope Putin is as successful in Syria. Last time I checked, the killing and dying has mostly stopped in eastern Ukraine. We are not seeing reports of millions of refugees leaving Ukraine.
Surely even Mr Kenny can agree that less killing better than more.
There is money to be made in all this death. Why on earth would the war profiteers want to end this? They aren't threatened by what happens there. Why would the Saudis go along with this when Assad is weakening?
"Power-sharing" isn't what the terrorists are about, sorry.
The only option is for an international coalition (say, Russia and China) to all-out support Assad and get rid of everyone else. That may be what the axis of evil (US, israel, the rest) just wants so they can start world war III. But I see no other option to avoid Syria becoming another Libya.
"Blessed are the peacemakers…" At least Putin is working for a peaceful solution. ISIS may never go for it, but at least he is trying diplomacy first instead of exacerbating the situation with more war.
Putin doesn't have anything to do with present political or military situation or Russian relation, military or otherwise with Syrian government, it is USG hegemony, the far right European government and kings and queens that are responsible for whatever happening in Syria, Libya and Iraq, it is them who started whatever the political social situations people in Syria, Libya and Iraq are in, including that little 2 years old toddler murdered by Saudis, USG, European, Turkish Erdogan, Israeli regime, Saudis dictatorial regimes had planned for Syrian, Iraqi and Libyan nations. Again, you want justice for all the refugees, the campaign needs to be started for prosecution of Tony Blair, George W. Bush and his neo fascism gangs, David Cameron and Sarkozy to start.
Seems like there's a pattern that if the US backs you, you don't negotiate? E.g., a thing with the "Libyan rebels" as well? It'd be odd if that wasn't Israeli influence. But so when you say Putin wants the "palatable" (to the USg) rebels on-board with power-sharing…USg itself has to be an important suspect obstacle. Or is there another influence directly on them?