Stephen LENDMAN
Time and again throughout its history, America breached treaties and other agreements – proving it doesn’t negotiate in good faith. Just the opposite!
According to Russian official Zamir Kabulov, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Alice Wells expressed “willingness to cooperate with us on Afghanistan, while realizing that the area of cooperation is very narrow.”
The only thing Washington wants from Russia is compliance with its imperial agenda – its endless wars of aggression, in Afghanistan and everywhere else.
Does Russia really believe it has a partner in America? Do Putin, Lavrov and other top officials think improved bilateral relations are possible?
Do they publicly express views they don’t believe privately? Do they realize after a century of US hostility toward their country, things are worse today than ever – with no prospect for improvement?
How can there be when Washington wants regime change, sovereign Russia eliminated, US vassal state subservience replacing it – puppet governance, not democratic rule.
Chances for improved bilateral relations are nil. America considers Russia an adversary, not a partner. Getting along is not an acceptable option in Washington.
Illegal sanctions on Russia alone prove it. So does closing, seizing and inspecting its San Francisco consulate and other diplomatic properties in Washington and New York, flagrantly breaching international law in both instances.
US cooperation with Russia in Syria is illusory. On Tuesday, US-supported al-Nusra terrorists attacked Syrian troops and Russian police in Idlib’s de-escalation zone – after Washington agreed to observe ceasefire in all Syrian de-escalation zones.
According to head of Russia’s General Staff Gen. Sergey Rudskoi:
“Despite agreements signed in Astana on September 15, (hundreds of) gunmen of Jabhat al-Nusra (together with allied terrorists) launched a large-scale offensive against positions of government troops north and northeast of Hama in the Idlib de-escalation zone…on September 19.”
“According to available data, the offensive was initiated by American intelligence services to stop a successful advance of government troops east of Deir Ezzor.”
Russian aerial operations thwarted the attack, killing hundreds of terrorists, destroying their heavy weapons and equipment, aided by Syrian Assault Corp troops deployed to the area and Russian special forces.
This incident and numerous others shows Washington wants endless war, not peace. It wants Assad toppled, US-controlled puppet rule replacing Syrian sovereign independence.
Nothing in prospect suggests a change in US policy. Sergey Lavrov admitted Washington supports al-Nusra terrorists – “shield(ing) and spar(ing) them from (US) airstrikes.”
“This is inadmissible,” he stressed. Eliminating their fighters, along with ISIS, is Russia’s top military objective in Syria. Washington’s aim is polar opposite, supporting the scourge it claims to oppose.
The agendas of both countries are in conflict with no prospect for change. Nor is there any possibility for improved relations.
They remain dismal, likely worsening ahead, not improving. Nothing Russia can do diplomatically will change things. Chances for eventual confrontation between both countries is ominously real.
Differences between them are irreconcilable, Washington fully responsible, not Moscow.
A Final Comment
So-called US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) attacked government positions at least twice in Deir Ezzor with mortar and rocket fire.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman General Igor Konashenkov warned US commanders “it will not tolerate any shelling from the areas where the SDF are stationed.”
“Fire from positions in regions (they control) will be suppressed by all means necessary,” he stressed, adding:
“SDF militants work to the same objectives as IS terrorists. Russian drones and intelligence have not recorded any confrontations between IS and the ‘third force,’ the SDF.”
They’re colluding with each other in Deir Ezzor. “More than 85% percent of (its) territory is under the full control of Syrian troops. Over the next week the city will be liberated completely,” Konashenkov explained.
