Running head: PUTIN DOWN AMERICA

Putin Down America Zac Deer Ivy Tech Community College

PUTIN DOWN AMERICA

We are all different, but when we ask for the Lords blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal, (Putin, 2013.) Revolution does not come easily. Fratricidal civil wars come with a cost. Yet, revolution and political unrest in the Middle East are a more frequent occurrence in these modern times. Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya have all had lengthy regimes toppled within the past few years. Syria, however, takes it to an entirely different level. Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya had their political structure change within a year or less, but in sharp contrast Syrias political discontent has waged on since 2010 (Eminue, 2013.) Furthermore, this situation in Syria has morphed and evolved into larger issues, including religious factions getting involved and using banned weaponry. With an issue so inexplicably thorny, why is Russia constantly defending Syria, especially on the United Nations Security Council? The United Nations Security Council has tried to resolve the Syrian conflict multiple times. The first public attempt was the presidential statement issued by this diplomatic body in August 2011, however this was not a binding resolution. To its credit, the UNSC did try to put forth a resolution before issuing this limp statement. In fact, they debated a draft resolution that vocally condemned Syrias actions. Alas, Russia vetoed this draft resolution. So the presidential statement arose from this as a compromise. Even so, the Syrian situation raged on. In October 2011, France, UK, Germany, and Portugal tabled a draft resolution, UN Doc. S/2011/612. This echoed a lot of the presidential statement, but in stronger tones. Russia vetoed again. From January 31, 2011 to February 4, 2012, the UNSC met and debated another draft resolution, this time sponsored by many Arab States and Western countries. For the third time Russia stymied this draft resolution, stating that:

PUTIN DOWN AMERICA In the Security Council, we [Russia] have actively tried to reach a decision for an objective solution that would truly help to put a prompt end to violence and start a political process in Syria. The decision of the Security Council should be just that, but from the very beginning of the Syrian crisis some influential members of the international community, including some sitting at this table, have undermined any possibility of a political settlement, calling for regime change, encouraging the opposition towards power, indulging in provocation and nurturing the armed struggle (S/PV.67114, 2012) There are more UNSC decisions about Syria, but what is interesting here is that Russia is drawing a line in the sand declaring that the current regime is not being treated fairly, or perhaps in other words, without equality. (Eminue, 2013) On September 12th, 2013, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, wrote an opinion editorial in the New York Times, in this editorial he cites the activity in Syria as an international issue, and that military action from the United States would subvert the United Nations authority, because the action would be unsanctioned by the Security Council. This is true. However, Putins moral high ground is easily eroded. Max Fisher highlights some Russia-Syria issues in the Washington Post: 1. Russia has a naval installation in Syria, which is strategically important and Russias last foreign military base outside the former Soviet Union.

PUTIN DOWN AMERICA 2. Russia still has a bit of a Cold War mentality, as well as a touch of national insecurity, which makes it care very much about maintaining one of its last military alliances. 3. Russia also hates the idea of international intervention against countries like Syria because it sees this as Cold War-style Western imperialism and ultimately a threat to Russia. 4. Syria buys a lot of Russian military exports, and Russia needs the money. (2013) Second, remember Putin states that we must not forget God created us equal, (2013.) However, Russia was and still is criticized for their persecution of their nonheterosexual citizens. This is highlighted by this quote from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on CNN: What I found interesting was the closing -- when he says when we pray to God he judges us all - I don't know exactly what his words are but he says `we are all God's children.' I think that's great. I hope it applies to gays and lesbians in Russia as well, (Mullen, 2013.) Russias agenda is equality, yet they are making headlines with discrimination against

LGBTs, a group recognized as worthy of human rights from the United Nations General Assembly since December 2008, (Amnesty International, 2013.) Logically, we could surmise that humanitarian equality is not the main support of Russias international policy with Syria. Russia has actively stymied international political functions. Russia has ridiculed America for mobilizing and preparing for action. Russia claims moral high ground.

PUTIN DOWN AMERICA Russia has known ties to Syria. Russia oppresses human rights. Russia is complicated. Syria is complicated. What is the agenda for Russia, and the future for Syria? The world will have to wait and see.

PUTIN DOWN AMERICA References Amnesty International. (2008, December 18). UN: General Assembly statement affirms rights for all [Public statement]. Retrieved from http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/asset/IOR40/024/2008/en/269de167d107-11dd-984e-fdc7ffcd27a6/ior400242008en.pdf

Eminue, O., & Dickson, M. (2013). The United Nations resolutions on Syria: Exploration of motivation from Russia and China. International Affairs and Global Strategy, 10. Retrieved from http://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/IAGS/article/view/5522 Fisher, M., & Washington Post Foreign Staff. (2013, September 5). The four reasons Russia wont give up Syria, no matter what Obama does. Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/09/05/the-fourreasons-russia-wont-give-up-syria-no-matter-what-obama-does/ Mullen, J. (2013, September 12). Vladimir Putin's comments on American exceptionalism, Syria cause a fuss. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/12/politics/putin-syria-editorial-reaction/index.html Putin, V. V. (2013, September 11). A plea for caution from Russia. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/opinion/putin-plea-forcaution-from-russia-on-syria.html