Breakthrough cooperation to weaken Iran and dislodge her from Syria is shaping up between the United States, Russia, and Israel. The last meeting in Jerusalem between their top national security advisers has resulted in two facts that we know about.
First, Russian pressure on Assad to remove all pro-Iranian top advisers to Assad from power. One such casualty was Jamil Hassan. Assad recently dismissed the top security chief from his post at the brutal Air Force Intelligence Directorate to replace him with a pro-Russian figure.
Second was the announcement by Gerd Pedersen, the United Nations special envoy to Syria. that the U.N. is close to an agreement with Syria on setting-up a constitutional committee. Such committee would be re-writing a new constitution for Syria, an effort Assad and Iran resisted for years citing Assad sole sovereignty over the constitution. Russian cooperation on this matter plays in favor of a regional peaceful diplomacy Assad is incapable of comprehending given his mental state of mind.
RUSSIAN COOPERATION
Why is Russia cooperating with the United States and Israel on finding diplomatic solutions for Syria? Why does Russia want Iran out of Syria? It goes against the old Cold War confrontational approach.
For one, Russia is playing the long game. One that will survive Donald Trump and his close relationships to the State of Israel. If another Barack Obama appears in America’s future, and we have some presidential candidates showing this inclination, Russia would be sitting pretty having scored valuable political points with Israel.
Iran will always be a rogue nation given its leadership. Not worth Russia’s time to invest more in troublesome leaders than in better influence with democratic Israel by its side.
Russia is building trust in the Middle East and it seems it does not include cooperating with Iran. Who is to blame Putin for sidestepping the poisonous snakes ruling Tehran?
WILL PUTIN REPLACE ASSAD?
Will this mean Russia might contemplate replacing Assad in the future? It is possible, and even probable, if Putin’s diplomatic grand scheme plays to its full mature potential. There are three countries that matter to Russia in the Middle East.
- Turkey to peel it from NATO. This might explain why Putin believes it is more important than gaining a foothold in the small province of Idlib.
- Israel to build trust. Putin is emulating US success in the Middle East by having ears and eyes on the ground. It will help Russia maintain control from Moscow. For Israel, it permits the small nation to disregard WASP Israel haters back in the U.S. It is all about leverage.
- Syria for its military roots. A fact that is independent of who rules Syria as long as Russia maintains its foothold.
If Assad becomes too quarrelsome, we believe Russia is open to his replacement. Putin understands Assad toxicity because of his atrocious crimes. He understands how little support he has even among the Alawites who suffered as much from his reckless policies.
We also believe Israel has much to say to Russia about whether Assad stays or goes. If Assad does not cooperate fully on dislodging Iran from Syria, he will be out in no time.
The stage is set. High stakes diplomacy for one superpower to dislodge another are underway.
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