Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
If the joint efforts of the United States and Russia in Syria are to succeed, they must attain a ceasefire between Bashar al-Assad’s armed forces and the opposition, and discover and destroy all chemical weapons in Syria.
The world watches and waits to hear if the Assad government will give up Syria’s chemical weapons stock.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s New York Times op-ed does not complicate international negotiations over Syria’s chemical weapons. Contrary to common perceptions, Putin is pragmatic and capable of making deals.
In his New York Times op-ed, Vladimir Putin asserts that Russia is not supporting Assad as an ally, but it is supporting the world order, centered on the U.N. Security Council.
Russia’s position on Syria is based in large part on Moscow’s concerns about the political repercussions of intervention. At the G20 Summit, Vladimir Putin attempted to create a de facto referendum on intervention.
Although Putin’s statements have been seen as flexible rhetoric, Russia’s policy toward Syria has not changed.
Russia’s decision to offer Edward Snowden asylum stems from Vladimir Putin’s desire to maintain a global image as the one major power that can resist U.S. pressure.
The “hyper-connecting” of the world has led to a profusion of people, countries, and institutions. However, this has come at the expense of those who held a high concentration of power.
There are a number of obstacles facing major established religious institutions in today’s globalized world, where the number of smaller religious affiliations has proliferated.
Although the change in power dynamics has led to increased competition and advanced opportunities for voters, citizens, workers, and entrepreneurs, it is also tied to the political gridlock taking place around the world.