US, Turkey must cooperate with Russia to defeat terrorists in Syria: Analyst

Press TV has conducted an interview with Paul Antonopoulos, a political commentator, about Russia’s recent announcement that it is ready to unilaterally take action against terrorists in Syria.

A rough transcription of the interview appears below.

Press TV: Now, we understand that the Russians had previously stopped their aerial attacks on the terrorists, including those who were usually referred to by the West as moderate rebels. What do you think in your mind made the Russians consider the option of resuming those attacks, be it jointly with Americans or now unilaterally?

Antonopoulos: Well, the Russian air force has taken off [a] three-month break from targeting many terrorist forces in Syria because of the ceasefire agreement that is in place throughout Syria. We know that militants that have signed to the ceasefire [are] still allied to terrorist groups that are not part of this peace settlement, like Jabaht al-Nusra.

Russia’s plans [for] resumption of airstrikes will force all militant groups to seriously adhere to the ceasefire agreement or be eliminated. This, therefore, means that Russia is forcing the militant groups who have continually violated the ceasefire to conform or to be targeted. This can force peace to be administered to select terrorist groups. However, in the case of the Jabhat al-Nusra, the only means peace can be achieved [through] is with a total annihilation.

Press TV: Now Paul, well, on top of this, we understand also that the refusal by the Americans to cooperate and coordinate actions in defeating and degrading the terrorists on the ground in Syria along with the Russians, which has been although more importantly encouraged by Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy to Syria peace talks, as well, does send a major signal and does impact the ongoing peace talks there. What is your appraisal there?

Antonopoulos: Well, the most important thing that we have to consider is that the USA just like Turkey are [sic] part of NATO. So, there needs to be more coordination between the United States and Turkey along with Russia to deal with this terrorist problem.

The most important part that we need to remember about America’s ally in Turkey is that they allow aid and military equipment and jihadist forces to freely cross the border into Syria, which only hinders the Syrian government’s efforts in fighting terrorist forces as just Turkey just keeps strengthening the anti-government forces.

We know that Turkey is willing to pay any price to remove President Assad from power and this is exactly in line with the United States policy.

Press TV: And Paul, very briefly, do you think any kind of peace can be achieved in Syria regardless of the Syrian government’s component, which is the essential and main one indeed? But as so far as the two brokers of the peace talks who are concerned, being America and Russia, do you think any actual peace on the ground can be achieved without proper coordination and cooperation between the two, that is America and Russia?

Antonopoulos: Of course not. If we got the Russian side supporting the government and their allies and the United States supporting anti-government forces, no peace can be achieved.

Although, we can create ceasefires with certain terrorist groups, as long as the United States is supporting other groups, no peace can be achieved unless that is discontinued or attempted coordination.

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