The media is highly conflicting in its reports about Russian and US involvement in Syria. And lately, after failed summit talks on Syria between Obama and Putin, the media is all ablaze with anti-Russian sentiment. But is it warranted?
Juan Cole writes in a TruthDig article:
“US spokesmen and politicians who complain that Russia isn’t hitting Daesh/ ISIL don’t get it. Either they don’t understand that with al-Qaeda in Idlib, Latakia could fall. Or they are just lying.”
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/what_is_russias_strategy_in_syria_and_why_does_egypt_approve_20151008
The major media outlets have been claiming that Russia has been both bungling and overly aggressive in Syria. For example, CNN reported 2 days ago that Russia accidentally dropped missiles in Iran. However, the New York Times presents a different scenario in which the accidental droppings are a complete fabrication.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/world/middleeast/syria-and-russia-continue-coordinated-assault-on-militants.html
In another article on TruthDig, Cole writes that:
“Obama blamed al-Assad for the rise of Daesh, omitting mention of American responsibility via the destruction of Iraq.”
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/why_obama_and_putin_are_both_wrong_on_syria_video_20150929
It is becoming clear that the US and its major media outlets are, indeed, lying about the situation in Syria. Whether they are lies by omission or out-right scam stories matters little. With lack of trust between US and Russian, as well as lack of truth and transparency in either nation’s news outlets, the powers-that-be are creating breeding grounds for more warfare. Calling the situation a WWIII might seem dramatic, but if Syria, Iran, Iraq, Russia, the US, and more are involved in the same struggle, how is it not World War III-esque already?
Russia’s involvement in Syria and it’s backing of Assad make sense, as Russia is much closer – geographically and politically – to the threat of ISIS (or Daesh), than is the US. Both nations fear Daesh, but Russia is not ready to throw the dirty Assad baby out with the bathwater. The US, on the other hand, sees no other way to victory over Daesh than by the removal of Assad and, thus, a total Syrian socio-political make-over. It is this fundamental departure in goals in Syria that creates the strife between the US and Russia.
Joshua Keating writes in Slate:
“Russia, which has been alarmed by what it sees as U.S. backed coups against pro-Russian governments in Ukraine, Georgia, and elsewhere, might even view U.S.-backed rebels as more of a threat than ISIS.”
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/10/08/are_the_u_s_and_russia_fighting_against_each_other_in_syria.html
Perhaps that is the reason why the US is drawing back on its support of these rebels – perhaps it’s the US’ method of trying to keep some peace between the two nations. Or, more cynically, it could just be the US’ realization that ground efforts have been an abysmal failure. Either way, it seems like a good idea not to completely piss off Russia right now, not when it has so much skin in the game.
Juan Cole writes in a TruthDig article:
“US spokesmen and politicians who complain that Russia isn’t hitting Daesh/ ISIL don’t get it. Either they don’t understand that with al-Qaeda in Idlib, Latakia could fall. Or they are just lying.”
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/what_is_russias_strategy_in_syria_and_why_does_egypt_approve_20151008
The major media outlets have been claiming that Russia has been both bungling and overly aggressive in Syria. For example, CNN reported 2 days ago that Russia accidentally dropped missiles in Iran. However, the New York Times presents a different scenario in which the accidental droppings are a complete fabrication.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/world/middleeast/syria-and-russia-continue-coordinated-assault-on-militants.html
In another article on TruthDig, Cole writes that:
“Obama blamed al-Assad for the rise of Daesh, omitting mention of American responsibility via the destruction of Iraq.”
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/why_obama_and_putin_are_both_wrong_on_syria_video_20150929
It is becoming clear that the US and its major media outlets are, indeed, lying about the situation in Syria. Whether they are lies by omission or out-right scam stories matters little. With lack of trust between US and Russian, as well as lack of truth and transparency in either nation’s news outlets, the powers-that-be are creating breeding grounds for more warfare. Calling the situation a WWIII might seem dramatic, but if Syria, Iran, Iraq, Russia, the US, and more are involved in the same struggle, how is it not World War III-esque already?
Russia’s involvement in Syria and it’s backing of Assad make sense, as Russia is much closer – geographically and politically – to the threat of ISIS (or Daesh), than is the US. Both nations fear Daesh, but Russia is not ready to throw the dirty Assad baby out with the bathwater. The US, on the other hand, sees no other way to victory over Daesh than by the removal of Assad and, thus, a total Syrian socio-political make-over. It is this fundamental departure in goals in Syria that creates the strife between the US and Russia.
Joshua Keating writes in Slate:
“Russia, which has been alarmed by what it sees as U.S. backed coups against pro-Russian governments in Ukraine, Georgia, and elsewhere, might even view U.S.-backed rebels as more of a threat than ISIS.”
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/10/08/are_the_u_s_and_russia_fighting_against_each_other_in_syria.html
Perhaps that is the reason why the US is drawing back on its support of these rebels – perhaps it’s the US’ method of trying to keep some peace between the two nations. Or, more cynically, it could just be the US’ realization that ground efforts have been an abysmal failure. Either way, it seems like a good idea not to completely piss off Russia right now, not when it has so much skin in the game.