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Saving Syria Requires Russia's Cooperation
(Washington Post) Editorial - Arab and Western governments plan to mount a major diplomatic offensive on Syria at the UN on Tuesday, where Russia has been blocking action since the Syrian uprising began. The government of Vladimir Putin is insisting that it will not support the removal of a regime that has been its primary ally in the Middle East. Yet Moscow's intransigence is likely to precipitate a disaster, both for Syria and for itself. The assessment of most outside observers is that the Assad regime is doomed. If Russia continues to prop it up, it will not only damage its position with other Arab governments but will endanger its assets in Syria - including a naval base and weapons sales. The Obama administration should place Russian cooperation on Syria at the top of the bilateral agenda with Moscow.