US, Russia can make ‘significant difference’ on Syria

As Carter spoke about finding n…

That statement – less a reversal than the culmination of a rethink that had been underway for months – was doubly piquant coming in Moscow, where Kerry was discussing the Syria question with Russian officials.

“Both me and Mr Lavrov agreed that together, Russian Federation and the USA can do much to move forward”, Kerry said.

Underscoring that the U.S. isn’t putting aside its other differences with Russian Federation amid the worst period in relations since the Cold War, White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters “the first item on Secretary Kerry’s agenda” will be Ukraine, which “has isolated Russian Federation from the rest of the worldwide community”, he said. Rather, it is on facilitating a peace process in which “Syrians will be making decisions for the future of Syria”.

US-Russia ties have also been strained over Ukraine, but Washington said it would not be drawn into bargaining with Russia over the sanctions it imposed over Moscow’s interference there.

Once upon a time, Hillary Clinton called Assad a “reformer”. “We are very grateful for these efforts”, Kerry said. However, he described the Syrian opposition’s demand that Assad must leave as soon as peace talks begin as a “nonstarting position, obviously”.

What happens to Assad now seems less important than what happens with the Islamic State, indicating a clear evolution in USA strategy regarding Syria and Iraq.

Jordan is working on finalizing the list of terrorist opposition forces.

Russia, in contrast, has held to the same line since the beginning: Outside governments, according to Russia, have no say in determining internal sovereignty in Syria.

Negotiations in Moscow between the USA and Russian Federation have finally yielded some results.

The YPG has been the most effective ground force against ISIS in Syria and has enjoyed close USA air support.

He also said he conveyed to Putin Washington’s concern “that some of Russia’s strikes have hit the moderate opposition” in Syria, and not just IS.

Carter said Sunni Gulf Arab countries could encourage and help Sunni Muslim communities living in areas controlled by Islamic State, a hardline Sunni group, to resist their rule. One of the pilots was killed, while the second was rescued.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the capture of Noba Mountain opens the way for government forces toward the rebel-stronghold of Salma.

The other airstrikes targeted a popular market in the village of Maskaneh in the northern province of Aleppo.