Russian Style Democracy in Syria?

Submitted by M. Tovey (United States), Jun 19, 2012 at 11:58

Whoaaah, hit the binders here- agree on democracy for Syria with the Russians? And what are the Russian attitudes about democracy? But more to the point, what are the real intentions of the Russians in Syria? And if one brings about the ages-old argument about warm water port privileges, Russians have always maintained their base strategic naval forces from Murmansk. Syria is only a tactical placement.

Staying out of the Syrian morass is exactly the posture the Russians want from the rest of the world. They know the reason why as well as others so I'll not elaborate. But the problem is, the Russians will be hard pressed to maintain their own prominent posture without flexing more muscle as the time comes. Even as this is written, they are, in the American vernacular, 'sending in the Marines.' Folks; that does not bode well; for truly, who believes the Russians are interested in American style democracy any more than an Islamist in Syria?

How long does anyone give before the conflicts of the Syrian opposition merge into the larger conflict of a world that is chafing at the bit to get into it with the opposition? And the Russians are making arrangements and agreements with Iran, the chief protagonist of the Syrian opposition? Can this get any more convoluted?

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