Great Power Realignment - To Russia?

by Shoshana Bryen • February 20, 2016 at 5:00 am

As the Russians insist that the Assad government is the only legitimate government, all anti-Assad fighters -- ISIS, al Qaeda-related, or U.S.-backed or Turkish-backed "moderates" -- are, by definition, terrorists.
Russian -- and in particular Syrian -- tactics are appalling. Washington would rather not be associated with them, but has a horror of the vacuum that might emerge if Assad is swept aside. Mainly, the U.S. has hung its hat on the International Syria Support Group. The U.S. is muddled, as usual, without a clear goal, clear allies or fixed positions beyond support for a "political process."
The U.S. is looking less and less relevant, as historic Great Powers do what they have historically done best -- fight for their national interests as they define them. President Obama appears to be conceding the lead to Russia and Russian aims.

U.S. President Barack Obama, perhaps sensing futility, called Russian President Vladimir Putin last weekend. The Kremlin's report of the phone call posits the U.S. and Russia getting closer -- although, it appears, on Russia's terms. (Image source: Kremlin.ru)

The shelling of Syrian soldiers by the Turkish military is one more step back into Great Power politics -- historic Turkish-Russian enmity played out over Kurds and Syrians. The U.S. appears to believe 21^st century wars cannot be won by military force and that battling parties can be induced to set aside their national and religious aims for a negotiated "peace." Meanwhile, the parties to the conflict are using their armies to pursue victory.