In These New Times

These perspectives are consistent with Obama’s statement to the  effect that ” the key to both Syria and Iraq is going to be a combination of what happens inside the country… and us laying down a more effective counterterrorism platform that gets all the countries in the region pulling in the same direction.” They are also consistent with the Blair/Annan call for co-operation with Russia, China, Iran and Saudi to resolve the crisis.”

Al-Arabiya

22nd June, 2014

A flurry of diplomatic activity is occurring between Riyadh and Moscow over not only Iraq but Syria. Russia is seeking to play the role of negotiator on all questions and Saudi Arabia holds the keys. If successful, Russia stands to gain substantially at the expense of the United States. The Kingdom engagement policy with the Russians may indeed produce peace dividends and further alter the geopolitical landscape.

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