Kassioun Editorial 1237: What Comes After the Moscow Visit?

The objective context that paved the way for this visit, and its potential consequences, is not limited to the difficult conditions the country is experiencing at the various levels, but also extends to the nature of external interventions and influences in Syria over the past eight months, the most prominent of which have been: American hypocrisy and “Israeli” arrogance. Within a scene in which the Americans appeared to be the master of the scene in Syria, it did not take long for the Americans’ real actions to emerge, far from their political and economic promises and statements. Neither the sanctions were actually lifted, nor the political support was transformed into real support for stability. Perhaps most importantly, the “Israelis” were given a free hand to run amok as they wish in the Syrian arena, with the Americans presenting themselves as a “mediator”, just like the role they play in the Palestinian conflict with the Zionist occupier; they are the “honest mediator” overseeing the extermination of Palestinians through killing and starvation.

Curbing the negative and explosive influences of the US and “Israel” through good relations with Russia is extremely important if invested properly. What is required of Russia today is to support Syria on two clear, fundamental issues: the first is to achieve deterrence against “Israeli” aggression against Syria, primarily political, without excluding other aspects. The second is to support the path to a comprehensive political solution that leads to the genuine implementation of the essence of UNSC Resolution 2254, leading to the realization of the Syrian people’s right to self-determination.

The Russians should take advantage of this new opportunity. Syria could serve as a safety valve for the entire region, or it could become its detonator, which would directly undermine the interests of Russia, Turkey, and all the countries in the region (except “Israel”). Balancing American-“Israeli” pressure through good relations with Russia is also a clear Turkish interest, as Turkey sees itself threatened not in the sense of influence-sharing within Syria, as the media promotes, but rather by internal detonation via nationalist, religious, and sectarian issues emanating from Syria, and at the hands of “Israel” and the US.

For Russia to capitalize on this opportunity, and for us as Syrians to benefit from it, Russia must learn from its past mistakes in dealing with Syria. It has made many mistakes, including the trust Russia placed in what Bashar al-Assad said and his promises, whether regarding the settlement with Turkey or pursuing a political solution. This has caused major political losses for both Syria and Russia.

Trust is necessary, but it must be based on actions, develop over time and based on experience, and be guided by the interests of both peoples. The Syrian people do not have the capacity or the luxury to rely on promises and rhetoric for more years of pain and suffering.

What is required is to focus on two things, as we mentioned earlier: deterring “Israeli” bullying, and supporting a genuine path toward a comprehensive and inclusive General National Conference, first and foremost including all political components, and then social, civil, and regional components, in a way that takes into account all components, and subsequently leads to a genuine, not merely cosmetic, national unity government, and to a permanent constitution and elections.

A political solution and deterring “Israel” are two interconnected issues, and neither can be pursued without the other. There is no political solution without deterring Zionist sabotage, and there is no possibility of sustaining deterrence of Zionist sabotage without uniting Syrians through a genuine political solution, as brothers equal in rights and obligations.

(النسخة العربية)