Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 7 (September 2016)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 7 (September 2016)
“During the evacuation, rebel factions burnt buses meant to evacuate sick and elderly civilians from Aleppo” under public domain by VOA News.
In September 2016, Russia and the United States made a new agreement to address the ongoing conflict in Syria. Both countries expressed a willingness to cooperate and pursue peace initiatives. However, tensions rose when an airstrike targeted UN aid trucks, causing strained relations between the US and Russia. The US accused Russian planes of carrying out the bombing, which led to a denial from Russia and Syria. This incident brought war crime allegations against Russia, resulting in discussions at the UN Security Council.
The situation further deteriorated as US Secretary of State, John Kerry, stated that the US was on the verge of ending Syria talks with Russia due to the Aleppo bombings. Russia's relentless bombing campaign in Aleppo drew international condemnation, with many viewing it as a calculated strategy to regain control. The US found itself in a difficult position with limited options to address the crisis, while Russia seemed to hold the upper hand.
As Russia marked one year of military intervention in Syria, doubts arose about any end to the conflict. The Los Angeles Times highlighted the prolonged nature of the bombings, suggesting that a resolution was elusive. The New York Times also analyzed Russia's brutal bombing of Aleppo, indicating its effectiveness in achieving strategic objectives. Meanwhile, TIME magazine noted that the US had a weak position in Syria, and Russia capitalized on this knowledge.
With tensions escalating, the prospects of continued cooperation between the US and Russia in Syria became uncertain. The possibility of ending ceasefire talks loomed, and there were doubts about the ability to work together on resolving the conflict. As Russia celebrated its one-year presence in Syria, critics accused Putin of pursuing Soviet-style aspirations of glory. The month of September showcased the complexities, challenges, and growing strain between Russia and the US in their efforts to find a resolution to the Syrian conflict.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on May 31, 2023
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Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 7 (September 2016):
Syrian conflict: US and Russia agree peace moves - BBC News September 10, 2016
Russia and Syria deny striking UN aid convoy in Aleppo - Al Jazeera September 21, 2016
US, Russia attack each other over Syria conflict during UN - PBS NewsHour September 22, 2016
Kerry: US on verge of ending Syria talks with Russia - AP News September 29, 2016
The U.S. Has a Weak Hand In Syria—and Russia Knows It - TIME September 29, 2016
Russia marks year in Syria with denials - DW September 30, 2016
Commentary: Putin’s Syria playbook? To recapture Soviet glory. - Reuters September 30, 2016