Great news: China and Russia veto UN resolution condemning Syria. God knows I am no more a fan of Assad than I am of Gaddafi, but there is no doubt in my mind that the worst possible solution would be a repetition of what happened in Libya, but this time in Syria. Furthermore, China and Russia are also sending a message to the US and its European “pack of poodles” (remember Blair as “Dubya’s poodle?) that enough is enough, and that considering how comprehensively the UN resolution on Libya was misinterpreted, bypassed or directly ignored, no resolution at all with be passed on Syria.
Does that mean that China and Russia have learned their lesson?
This question assumes that somehow China and Russia were naive, Pollyanna-like, and that they were duped by the US and NATO. That is absolute rubbish, IMNSHO. Chinese and Russian diplomats are extremely capable, experienced and sophisticated people who must have known from day 1 that any resolution which spoke of “all necessary measures to protect civilians under threat of attack in the country (notice, not even actual attack, even ‘threats’ of attack are enough for all necessary measures) meant a ‘carte blanche’ for the US Empire and its minions.
No, the Chinese and the Russian new exactly what they were doing when they betrayed Libya and turned it to the care of the US/NATO. They were either bought, or there was some quid pro quo, or they wanted to further over-extend the US/NATO, or whatever. I will never believe that they did not know what they were doing. They might, therefore, do it again. Just like Russia ‘gave’ Bosnia to NATO only to then roar in outrage over the NATO war in Kosovo.
Frankly, the Chinese and Russian attitude makes no sense to me and while I do rejoice over today’s veto over Syria, I deeply regret that neither country has decided to be consistent in its resistance against the US to become a world hegemon.
With Russian internal political situation recently resolved in Putin’s favor, I see immediate change already in Russia’s stance towards West. Another example was yesterday, when Russia plus China vetoed UN resolution to condemn Syria. Not that they love Syria so much, but is clear from Libyan example where such resolutions lead, and better not to start down such a slippery slope (towards war and imperialist occupation of another Arab nation).
Liberals will of course gnash their teeth and say Russia is coddling dictators. Granted it is easier to coddle adorable fluffy kittens than brutal, mean guys like Gaddafy and Assad. But still better for Russia to stand firm against West, support these dictators, and and not swallow sweet Western propaganda lure. Because we all know where that lure leads: regime change, war, privatization of somebody else’s state assets, selling those assets at a song to British bankers, turning wealthy creditor nation into poor debtor nation, yada yada, the usual imperialist song and dance. We have all seen that show before, it started off great but ended badly, and we don’t want to see it again. In summary, Putin, unlike Medvedev, is no sucker and I do not believe he will fall for West’s sorry old tricks.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find out one day that this veto had a real purpose to drag the West into yet another war but now against international law.The Russians are pretty sure that no veto will stop the States/Nato and Israel against hiting a target if the target were already chosen, so even if there were no simpathy for Assad the Russians can pretend that they care and veto knowing or suspecting that the action was already decided against Syria. That will make the West go on their own into the war, cause damage to already falling apart alliance and will leave Russia with a pretty face in the arab world.
alibi