Sept. 23, 2013
Nick Burns
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American politicians have lost sight of the big picture.
By supporting President Barack Obama’s urge to retaliate against the Assad regime (for their alleged use of chemical weapons), they demonstrate a short-sighted view of politics on the global scale.
As far as Syria is concerned, America wants to play a game of chutes and ladders while Russia is watching a chess board.
Clearly, the Russian government wants to keep its interests in the region intact. There is little dispute in the international community that for geopolitical, commercial and military reasons, Russia wants to support the Assad regime.
Under the surface, the restraint shown by Russian President Vladimir Putin in proposing the disarmament of chemical weapons is indicative of his knowing that any conflict in the region can spark a devastating course of events.
By initiating talks, Russia succeeded in delaying the need for boots on the ground, which is proposed by the Congressional Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF).
If we enter Syria under the guise of “humanitarian” efforts to strategically strike Assad, Iran will enter the fray.
Iran has made repeated statements over the years against U.S. intervention in the region, and as the strongest ally of Syria, would come to their aid if American military dominance were practiced.
Blatantly ignored by our politicians, Iran did view the projected U.S. military action as an act of war.
This was highlighted by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a recent address on the disarmament agreement, in which he stated, “We are happy that war has been averted and will do our best to make sure one does not begin.”
Just looking at the political alliances, we can see that most Middle Eastern countries would become involved in any conflict very quickly.
Iran and Russian intervention would make this war very costly to an already fatigued United States.
Our president and politicians along both aisles have been making moves toward this regional conflict, hedging our risk of expanding into an international war solely on the reputation of American imperialism and exceptionalism.
Russia, fully understanding the intricate web, provided America a way to save face.
Unlike the U.S., Russia knows the consequence of direct military action in Syria. Any military action is dangerous, but taking into account regional and global tensions, the dominoes are aligned to fall on an expanding map of countries.
Their impending collapse over the Syrian civil war has been curbed by sensibility and diplomacy…for now.
Putin stands as the watchdog at the gates to an impending World War III while the United States has unrealistic, unshakeable confidence in future military action.