Russia’s alliance with Syria has met with initial military success. The alliance is in accord with international law and Syria’s rights of sovereignty.
The war there has been dragging on for four years. Russia’s assistance opens a prospect that aggressive outside intervention can be defeated and a lasting peace can be found.
People everywhere have been outraged at the lawless aggressive wars of the United States, other imperialist countries, and their allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. They have been sickened by the barbaric crimes of terrorists covertly supported by the big international robbers. They are glad to see the big and little gangsters taking powerful blows in Syria.
For all of these reasons Russia’s actions in Syria are are widely approved by people around the world. Even in the United States the more clear-sighted people approve.They are the ones who count.
But beware of euphoria! Let us remember the words of Winston Churchill: “Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter.”
The Oct. 31 crash of Metrojet Flight 9268 over Sinai is a tragedy, but also something more. It is a dangerous disturbance in a region already torn by wars. The cause of the crash is still not clear. Russia is conducting the investigation of the crash. As of this writing the investigation has announced no conclusions.
Nonetheless western sources are busy spreading rumors. The Wall Street Journal of Nov. 5 headlined, “U.K. Suspects Bomb Downed Jet.” Here is a leading newspaper in country A, reporting that country B suspects something happened in country S! The Journal has a lot of company. Even Pres. Obama has joined in the rumormongering. Somebody is fishing for trouble.
It is good to recall the destruction of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH-17 over East Ukraine on July 17, 2014. Immediately there was a firestorm of baseless accusations against Russia. It gave the U.S. and its allies some respite after the the string of disastrous military defeats suffered by the stooge U.S.-installed junta in Kiev. It is no stretch to think the same forces want to offset the effects of Syrian-Russian military successes with a campaign of fear.
Russia has an outstanding success in the goodwill its has gained from people everywhere. Let us all await the outcome of the investigation. But neither let us forget for a second how many dangers and pitfalls lurk in the chaos that is the Middle East.