Valdimir Putin's Plea To The American People Regarding Syria

Vladimir V. Putin has written "A Plea for Caution From Russia" to the American people regarding the situation in Syria. No, this isn't some Internet hoax making the rounds, it was actually published in the New York Times on September 11, 2013. Not that we shouldn't take what he says with a hefty grain of salt, considering the source.  And forget what he says about the useless United Nations.  But it's certainly an interesting read. He speaks some truths, though who knows what the real intent behind those words are.

The potential strike by the United States against Syria, despite strong opposition from many countries and major political and religious leaders, including the pope, will result in more innocent victims and escalation, potentially spreading the conflict far beyond Syria’s borders. A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance.

Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition in a multireligious country. There are few champions of democracy in Syria. But there are more than enough Qaeda fighters and extremists of all stripes battling the government. The United States State Department has designated Al Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, fighting with the opposition, as terrorist organizations. This internal conflict, fueled by foreign weapons supplied to the opposition, is one of the bloodiest in the world.

Mercenaries from Arab countries fighting there, and hundreds of militants from Western countries and even Russia, are an issue of our deep concern. Might they not return to our countries with experience acquired in Syria? After all, after fighting in Libya, extremists moved on to Mali. This threatens us all.

Please read the whole thing here.

For the record, I trust Putin as far as I can throw him.