In an interview on Syrian state media today, top Syrian government adviser Bouthaina Shaaban claimed that there is a “tacit agreement” between the US and Russia on coming to some sort of agreeing on the ongoing civil war, and that some sort of negotiated settlement could happen soon.
The Russian government has been making claims to this effect for months, but the latest comments come just a day after State Department officials publicly disavowed the notion and condemned Russia, suggesting they oppose the Russian strategy of negotiated settlement unless it includes unilateral surrender of the Assad government.
Yesterday’s State Department denial was particularly noteworthy, however, because months of other comments to the same effect came without an official peep, and with private suggestions from US officials that they were indeed warming to the idea of a “unity” deal before suddenly declaring their opposition to it.
If that wasn’t confusing enough, Pentagon officials are now talking up the idea that there are “overlaps” of interest between the US and Russia on Syria, suggesting the two sides could work together. They also, however, talked up the need for a “transition” to a new pro-US government.
"A new pro-US government?" Wasn't Assad 'pro' enough?
I think what they meant was "a new pro-Israeli government."
A "settlement" with Putin/Assad won't actually end the war, which is now against ISIS. Such a settlement just bogs Putin down even more in the quagmire. So much the better!
Putin might bail out Obama and the western allies in Europe who are besieged by the Syrian, Libyan, Iraqi refugee crisis of their own making.
Putin is showing up your pals ever day of the week. Don't push him to far.
When was not Syrian pro or more along theblnes of neutral towards US?.
Syria was the apointed power that brought an end( well at least a truce and one functioning government) to Lebanon; Yet when Regan got sh.. on shoes the US blamed Iran and Syria and aidedIsraels invasion and massacre of Lebonon’s people whilr Syria did nothing.
Later Syria was a willing ally of UN resolution to get Saddam out of Kuwait, all this while US was bad mouthing Syria to get them out of Lebanon who had always kissedmUD military ass even as Israel and Eyrope destroyed it.
Syria to their credit fought and helped drive Iraq military back behind its borders, which is all UN mandate called for and had no priovisions for air and ground force to enter Iraq, and especially massacre a couple thousand already almost home within Iraq.
US wanted Syria andnFrance to continue as air power no fly and like Brits Canadians andnUS pilots keep punishing a beaten down IRAQ, both nations humanely said no.
US used Syrian Assets of intel prisonsbfor torture in their rendition war on terror.
Syrian leaders like many small dictatorships of family owned nations figured they wrre safe asnlong as kissing up to US., but they fogot Israel is calling shots in ME and they set Syria up to take fall for a prominent IDF and US intel agent buisness mans murder.
No nation, not even Euro’s are safe from the US power plays ormkidnap bibery or outright rendition and disapearance ormassassination.
The Powers in US have came right out and said they can do “WTF” EVER THEY WANT TO THEIR OWN CITIZENS; So what makes any people think they can trust US den of Vipers?
Though it difficult to attribute, in my 70 years I have often seen the following associated with major events: 'It is an axiom of practical politics never to believe anything until it has been officially denied.'
It seems the neocons are jumping ship on their idea of replacing Assad. Kudos to Putin for averting another disaster in the making.