So who is in Russia’s crosshairs in Syria?

So who is in Russia’s crosshairs in Syria?

by Andrey Fomin

The reactions of some Atlanticists figures, from the United States, France, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, when Russia bombed the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda —the Al-Nosra Front— speak for themselves. Those that these leaders refer to as "moderate rebel" actually belong to registered groups on the list of terrorist organizations by the United Nations.

VOLTAIRE NETWORK | MOSCOW (RUSSIA) | 4 OCTOBER 2015

The media frenzy in the countries of the anti-Assad coalition over the Russian air strikes on Al-Qaeda-linked guerrillas in Syria has made one very significant fact quite clear [1]. Along with the nervous reaction of the US, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and some other countries it is irrefutable proof that the interests of seemingly opposing forces —NATO and radical jihadism— are actually tightly intertwined. And their relations go far beyond the Syrian crisis [2].

Ultimately it makes no practical sense to differentiate Daesh and Jabhat Al-Nusra merely on the basis of the fact that those extremist groups differ about the manner in which it is necessary to kill infidels. If Jabhat Al-Nusra enjoys the confidence of some US senators [3], then the real problem might be the educational level of those senators (try to disconnect Senator McCain from his handlers and speechwriters and you will quickly see what kind of person he really is). Once again: Daesh and Jabhat Al-Nusra are cut from the same cloth. And we should agree yet before acting: when determining military targets, all decisions must be based specifically on military considerations and situation on the ground and not on American vision of the future of “democracy in Syria.”

The military disposition in Syria is crystal clear. Primarily, blockade of the cities of Homs and Hama should be lifted and direct land route from Damascus to the Turkish border to be put under control of pro-government forces. The first strikes of the Russian AF were dispatched precisely in that direction.

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