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Why Russia is Obstinate on Syria
https://nuclearrisk.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/why-russia-is-obstinate-on-syria/
Why Russia is Obstinate on Syria
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described
Russia’s refusal to support a UN resolution on
Syria as “despicable .” But, as usual, there’s
another perspective. Burned by the West’s
transforming the UN resolution that called for
protection of Libyan civilian into a mandate for
regime change, Russia is worried about a repeat
in Syria. And, it doesn’t help garner Russian
support when Senator John McCain warns
Vladimir Putin that he could meet Gaddafi’s fate,
or that Fox News “accidentally” substituted
footage of Athens’ streets burning when
reporting on Russian protests in Moscow. Both
the Western and the Russian perspectives on
Syria have value. Taking off our blinders and
incorporating both views would help minimize
the suffering in Syria, as well as reduce the risk
of a Russian-American confrontation – and a
nuclear catastrophe. A recent article by Fyodor
Lukyanov, Editor-in-Chief of the Russia in Global
Affairs journal provides more details on the
Russian perspective and is highly recommended
reading.
Martin Hellman
Why Russia is Obstinate on Syria
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described
Russia’s refusal to support a UN resolution on
Syria as “despicable .” But, as usual, there’s
another perspective. Burned by the West’s
transforming the UN resolution that called for
protection of Libyan civilian into a mandate for
regime change, Russia is worried about a repeat
in Syria. And, it doesn’t help garner Russian
support when Senator John McCain warns
Vladimir Putin that he could meet Gaddafi’s fate,
or that Fox News “accidentally” substituted
footage of Athens’ streets burning when
reporting on Russian protests in Moscow. Both
the Western and the Russian perspectives on
Syria have value. Taking off our blinders and
incorporating both views would help minimize
the suffering in Syria, as well as reduce the risk
of a Russian-American confrontation – and a
nuclear catastrophe. A recent article by Fyodor
Lukyanov, Editor-in-Chief of the Russia in Global
Affairs journal provides more details on the
Russian perspective and is highly recommended
reading.
Martin Hellman