A few days ago, Charles Krauthammer opined that it was never a good idea for a head of state engaging in a conflict situation to express what is or what is not on the table--that it is better to keep your adversary guessing. President Obama has told the world that--regardless of circumstances--American troops in Iraq is not on the table. There were several intended audiences for that statement. One of them was probably NOT President Putin. Without showing his hand as to what he considers on or off the table, Putin has inserted himself into the Iraq situation big time. Putin is also the prime benefactor of al-Assad in Syria. How quickly things can change! A few days ago, the prospect of the worlds first jihadi state--extending from Central Iraq to the northwest across Syria to Aleppo--seemed a real threat. It may be that an alternative is emerging....an Iraq/Syria tandem beholden to Vladimir Putin. Were now offered a choice: Putin or ISIS...on the most strategic piece of real estate in the Middle East. I suspect that not even Krauthammer suspected his words would be so quickly validated.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 05:30:17 +0000
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