Thursday, October 1, 2015

Is U.S. Policy And Strategy On Syria Now In Disarray Because Of Russia?



Daily Mail: John Kerry and Sergey Lavrov hold strained press conference to announce 'deconfliction' talks - hours after Russia gave the US just an hour to get out the way of its Syria strikes

* Two countries faced off at the United Nations Security Council meeting
* U.S. Secretary of State told council Russian warning was being ignored
* Afterwards, Kerry and Russia's Foreign Minister said it was 'constructive'
* Kerry said U.S. and Russian militaries could hold talks as early as tomorrow to ensure they do not inadvertently come into conflict
* Also addressed concerns Russian jets were not targeting ISIS-held areas

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held a strained press conference alongside Russia's Foreign Minister just hours after the country gave the U.S. an hour's warning to remove its forces before beginning air strikes in Syria.

The two countries had faced off at the United Nations Security Council meeting over parallel air campaigns against Islamic State in Syria today - with Kerry telling the council Russia's warning would be ignored.

Both sides claimed legitimacy for their actions, but differed over the role of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

WNU Editor: U.S. policy on Syria was confusing even before the Russian air strikes began .... from my vantage point the priority in the White House was always to maintain a minimal presence and keep the conflict contained. But this is no longer case .... this is now a conflict where all the major powers of the world are becoming involved and/or will soon be involved.

More News On The Impact That Russia's Bombing Campaign Will Have On U.S. Policy And Strategy On Syria

Obama administration scrambles as Russia attempts to seize initiative in Syria -- Washington Post
Russian airstrikes in Syria leave U.S. scrambling for response -- CNN
US scrambles to respond to Russia’s Syrian intervention -- Financial Times
John Kerry Says U.S. Has ‘Grave Concerns’ About Russian Airstrikes in Syria -- WSJ
U.S. warns Russia against striking non-Islamic State groups in Syria -- Chicago Tribune
U.S. fears a clash with Russia over Syria -- Politico
Russian air strikes on Syrian targets raise ‘grave concerns’ in US -- Financial Times
Kerry rebuffs Russian demand, says US airstrikes in Syria ‘will continue’ -- FOX News
John Kerry just made a significant and consequential gaffe on Russia and Syria -- Max Fisher, VOX
Russia's Syria strikes reveal incoherence in US policy -- Michael Pizzi, Al Jazeera

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