The Syrian Proxy War; has the control gears been removed from the conflict?
Many years ago, I read a book which defined politics as the 'art of the possible.' Be that as it may, it would appear that our contemporary politicians are endeavouring to make politics the 'art of the impossible', with the world's leading politicians, it would appear, demonstrating artistic ineptitude.
I am minded of what the Americans, and the western and allies in Middle Eastern allies are asking of the Russians, with regards to the Syrian Proxy War. Essentially they are asking the Russians - and they would say, President Putin, in particular - to 'bully' the Syrian Government into doing what the West wants it to do.
Yes, believe it or not, although the West, let us say, the NATO members, make a lot of ado about 'democracy' and the right of countries to determine their own destiny, these countries, and especially the US, wants the Russians to force the Syrians Government into surrendering. These are the same countries that have berated the Russians about their, let us same, understandable 'adventurism' into the Ukrainian conflict, citing President Putin as a 'dictator', a leader who cannot be 'trusted.'
And now, here they are, asking the Russians to behave live 'bullies', like 'colonialist' who should order the Syrian Government to do the bidding of the West. To tell them that, if they do not do it, they, the Russians, will withdraw their backing of the Syrian people, and pack up their armaments and leave Syria.
How ironic this would be; the Russians using the tactics of The Godfather on the Syrian Government, after having intervened in this tragic proxy war, on the pretext of supporting the legitimate government and sovereignty of Syria?
It is difficult, in my view, to imagine a more perfidious scenario, which is why, although being aware of the machiavellian nature of the international politics which surrounds the Syrian Proxy War, I find it difficult that the Russians would accept the poison chalice of plunging Brutus' sword into the heart of the Syrian nation. Especially that they would do so at the behest of an alliance, NATO, that do not trust them and will savour every opportunity to belittle and demonise them.
No, it would be incredible for the Russians to sacrifice all the legitimate reasons why they have intervened in this war, and subserviently become the destructive tool with which the Americans and NATO and their Sunni regimes allies are endeavour to effect regime change. But then again, politics is also about expediency, with on grand ambition being sacrificed for a grander one.
There is no doubt that Russia is playing what might be called an indispensable role in the Syrian Proxy War, in her support of the Syrian Government and people. Yet, it should not presume to have the power or legitimacy to usurp the role of the Syrian Government to be a full party in any discussion to bring this war to an end. It is not legitimate for the Russians to negotiate with the Americans and their NATO and Sunni allies, and then present the Syrian Government with a fait accompli or unduly coerce it into accepting an agreement which it considers to be at odds with the Government's objectives.
Syria is not the eastern Ukraine; which is not to say the ending of the Syrian Proxy War is not long overdue.
Neither should the Russians lead or encourage the Americans and their allies to think that they, the Russians, have the legitimate authority to do so, or would want to do so.
When will the people of Syria be able to return to living the peaceful, mundane living with which people in other countries are blessed, along with enjoying the beauty they have created?
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