Russia Stymies Effort to Curb Syrian Violence
Andrew Rosenthal, The New York Times | July 19, 2012
When three top officials in Assad's regime were killed in a bombing attack, Russia, with behavior similar to the old Soviet Union, claimed that the West was somehow behind it. ++ When the UNSC votes on whether to extend the oversight of a peace plan, the US and other Western nations will only support the resolution if it also calls for enforceable sanctions should Assad renege. ++ Rather than opposing the resolution, Russia should use its leverage within the regime to contribute to a diplomatic solution.
