In the days leading up to the meeting between Trump and Putin in Hamburg, the outline of the U.S. proposal to increase cooperation with Russia in Syria became known. Secretary of State Tillerson, who was present at today’s meeting along with Foreign Minister Lavrov, has drawn up a plan to coordinate military action between the two countries, thus recognizing Russian ‘jurisdiction’ over certain areas.
The immediate goal is to strike a strong blow against the Islamic State, with the support of U.S. special forces in some areas, and Russian troops in others. According to the Daily Beast, American military institutions are not ready to work directly with Russia, but do wish to maintain the “deconfliction” procedures to avoid clashes between the different factions supported by the two large powers.
The U.S. press generally sees this as confirmation that the Administration intends to leave Bashar al-Assad in power. This was Trump’s initial line, that was changed however after the presumed chemical weapons attack in April. White House sources not say that the obvious priority is the war on ISIS, meaning that Assad will remain for now, despite the divisions within the Administration on this point.
This line will be challenged openly by the Congress, where the annual military spending bill is currently under discussion. It seems likely that the text of the law will continue to prohibit military cooperation with Russia. The Administation may attempt to get around that prohibition by invoking the search for stability, but such moves would likely cause even greater pressure from members of Congress who are bent on avoiding any thawing of relations with Vladimir Putin.
– Andrew Spannaus –
July 7, 2017
English, Notizie, Strategia