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U.S. to Hold Military Talks With Russia Over Involvement in Syria

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has proposed the discussion.

The Associated Press Sep 18, 2015 5:02 PM

http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.676595

In this Monday August 3, 2015 file photo, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, talk before a trilateral meeting, in Doha, Qatar.AP

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The Obama administration is planning direct talks between Russian and American military officials soon over Russia's military buildup in Syria, a development that has flummoxed (Bewildered)the U.S.

Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in London that President Barack Obama believes military-to-military discussions with Russia are "an important next step" as the U.S. and its allies seek to resolve a worsening Syria crisis while also trying to understand Russia's burgeoning role. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov first broached the idea earlier this week in a phone call with Kerry.

The Pentagon will take the lead in the discussions, but Kerry shed no light on the exact level, venue and timing except to say, "I think, hopefully, it will take place very shortly." The Pentagon has not yet weighed in on what its role will be in the talks.

"This (Syria) crisis has got to be solved," Kerry said before meeting with the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed.

Most military talks with Russia were suspended after Russia annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine.

Dismissing American concerns, Russia has stepped up its military support in recent weeks of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who the U.S. believes must leave power.



U.S. officials said in recent days that they are seeking answers to myriad questions about the precise reasoning behind Moscow's recent deliveries of material and manpower to a base in northern Syria.

After their third phone call on the Syria situation since Labor Day weekend, Kerry said Wednesday that Lavrov had proposed a "military-to-military conversation and meeting in order to discuss the issue of precisely what will be done to de-conflict with respect to any potential risks that might be run and have a complete and clear understanding as to the road ahead and what the intentions are."

"You have to have a conversation in order to do that," Kerry said previously. "It is vital to avoid misunderstandings, miscalculations (and) not to put ourselves in a predicament where we are supposing something and the supposition is wrong."

Kerry said Lavrov had told him that Russia was only interested in confronting the threat posed by the Islamic State group in Syria. But Kerry stressed that it remained unclear if that position would change and Russia would mount a defense of Assad.

"Obviously, there are questions about that," he said. "I am not taking that at face value."

However, Kerry added that if Russia's attention is on the Islamic State group, then it remains a potential partner in pushing for a political transition in Syria. "If Russia is only focused on ISIL and if there is a capacity for cooperation ... there still is a way to get a political negotiation and outcome," Kerry said, using an alternate acronym for the Islamic State.

Russia's military buildup in Syria has perplexed the Obama administration and left it struggling to respond. In the wake of U.S.-Russian cooperation over the Iran nuclear deal, U.S. officials had hoped Russia would also cooperate on Syria. But Moscow's latest actions have alarmed many observers, who see them as a naked grab for Middle East influence.

In recent days, Russia has sent about a half-dozen battle tanks and other weaponry — along with military advisers, technicians, security guards and portable housing units — to Syria with the apparent goal of setting up an air base near the coastal town of Latakia, a stronghold of the Syrian president.

A U.S. intelligence official said Russia's moves in Syria reflect growing alarm about Assad's ability to weather opposition gains and suggests that Moscow may be willing to intervene directly on his behalf. Russia's military involvement raises a number of concerns, especially because it does not appear to be coordinated with the other countries operating in the area, said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the subject and spoke on condition of anonymity.
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The Associated Press

COMMENT:
My dearest readers read the comment and analyze the factual reactions of the brutal acts of the Israel government toward the Muslims throughout the Mid East till now.

In addition, the kindness shown to the Syrian Government by Russians and the request of the KING of SAUDI ARABI to THE US PRESIDENT to stop Israel’s atrocities.

Think, what the World Community of nations would be thinking about the creator/ creators of the situation that per forced the US government to call for a dialog.

It is OK, but at the same time Israel’s PM has gone to request to withdraw deployment of armaments.

Have the Rssians gone to make fun that they would withdraw deployment?Without getting something tangible benefit worth mentioning.

This is called smearing the good name of the lone super power by a treacherous so called best friend.

Is really US confused, bewildered, puzzled, mystified, and baffled or in anyway horrified?

Would the steps taken by Russia diminished the power of the super 
power to a certain degree if  they cut Israel’s wings of power and 
pulled it down to the earth by the Assad regime even from such a 
catastrophic position with the help of Russian? should the US go in
 for a war with Russia? people thinks under no circumstance US 
should not go for a war.

That would be a very bad example if it does happen.

This is a magnanimity shown to Syrian President  by Russians no 
doubt. But surely this would encourage the few Muslim countries 
to polarize with Russian block.

Already Egypt has shown inclination towards Russia.

With the behavior of the Nazi Zionist son Netanyahu I suppose at
 least some even a small number of Muslim countries might like to
 secretly shift  from Western block. The entire reason Is the 
treacherous Israel ZIONISTS government of Netanyahu

It is time to change the best friend and most trusted traitor Israel, 
the most powerful lobby group APIAC in US and their poodle CNN.

Writing the facts should not be an offense even if nothing happens 
or happens  but having only a single enemy among friends at home
that too among the trusted ones might be the worst thing that could
 happen in any bad time for the lone super power.

The question of even if there is a treaty or if even no treaty with 
regard to Israel’s security, believing such treacherous friend is an 
ominous thing for the country.

But most unfortunately the word Security, and defense have been 
used as toilet papers by Israel.  It killed  Muslims for the last 67 years tantamount to  committal of thousands of genocides based on lies of
 security and self defense.

This time it has created a situation of diplomatic confusing or a
 bewildered situation with the worst enemy of the world least to 
speak of against US.

The other front is heating up is the Muslim front due to best 
friend's doing horrible killing activities in Holy Places of prayer.

This has forced the top most Leader of the Muslim Umah to open
 his mouth for the first time to talk to the US President to stop 
 Israeli Donkeys killing Muslim.


If the President fails to keep the Leader’s Request then the 
Future US-Muslim relationship might possibly take a “U” turn 
that should be kept under consideration.

This situation is also the creation of Israel among many 
thousands of evil situations created by Israel’s government.

Hope US talk comes out fruitful but there is big question mark
if Assad would keep silent from behind to make talk a success.