The Daily Star
It’s no secret that a new czar is born, trying to reclaim the glories of days gone by.
Attempting to cement his foothold in the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Russian President Vladimir Putin walks a tightrope of oxymorons, pretending to promote freedom. Russia’s flagrant policy, however, says differently. And Putin’s transparent actions, such as his support of Israel, reveal the arch-hypocrisy of his allies in the region and their utterings on confronting Zionism – the raison d’etre of countries such as Syria and Iran.
Nowhere is Russian audacity manifested stronger than in its policies in Syria, evidenced by two recent examples. First, the CIA chief’s admission that a large portion of Russian strikes have targeted legitimate, non-extremist opposition. Second, the U.S. admission that Russia has never abided by the cease-fires it claims to implement, for instance in Aleppo, where hostilities remained as fierce one day into a 48-hour truce Thursday.
Despite what the puppet regime in Damascus says, the Russians have drawn up a new constitution and named a prime minister without consultation with President Bashar Assad, whose claims that Syria remains independent and sovereign ring more and more absurd.
Especially so when in north Syria the U.S. and its allies lay the groundwork for a post-Assad state with the tacit approval of the Kremlin.
If this is not total subjugation, then what is ?
Of course, success in this venture has only been possible thanks to the White House’s lame duck president, who has opened the door for a form of imperialism never seen before.
It’s high time the Arabs and international community address this reality, as the geopolitical dominoes keep falling in Russia’s favor.