Stephen Lendman

Hezbollah leader Sayyad Hassan Nasrallah once called Syria the “linchpin of resistance” against US/NATO/Israeli regional imperialism.

If it falls, Iran’s turn awaits. “Palestine will be lost…” Lebanon’s sovereignty will be jeopardized. “(A) bleak future awaits the peoples of the region.”

Anglo-Zionism’s rage to dominate represents the greatest threat since the Nakba, he stressed, promising committed resistance against it.

From the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin expressed a similar sentiment, saying “(t)he most important thing is to avoid (Syria’s) breakup. And if the situation continues to develop as it does today, the collapse is inevitable, and this is the worst case scenario.”

Destabilization would follow, “not only for the region but for the whole world,” he explained - why it’s vital to resolve Syria’s conflict and preserve its unity.

Earlier Putin accused Western and Middle East regimes of “creat(ing) chaos…in other countries, including Syria.” He explained Russia aims “to help carry out changes for the better (worldwide) but not (by) force…”

“(S)trong countries are trying to push their rules and their moral code on weak countries, without taking into account the(ir) history, traditions and religion…”

Russia never has nor will it force its will on other nations, he stressed, urging all countries work together cooperatively for world peace and stability.

On Saturday, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Assad met to discuss Syria’s ongoing liberating struggle.

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, their “meeting touched upon relevant issues of military and military-technical cooperation between the defense ministries of the two countries, as well as certain aspects of cooperation in the fight against terrorist groups operating on Syrian territory.”

Reports indicate Russia stepped up its aerial operations against ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaeda in Syria), and terrorist elements falsely called “moderates” allied with them, targeting government forces and defenseless civilians.

On June 18, Defense Department spokesman Peter Cook said high level US and Russian defense officials discussed by videoconference “airstrikes conducted by Russian forces…striking Syrian opposition forces” allegedly combating ISIS, expressing “strong concerns.”

DOD “officials requested Russian responses to address (these) concerns,” none so far reported.

How far Moscow intends pushing its campaign and Washington’s response remain to be seen.

One thing is clear. Prospects for peace are distant at best. Endless conflict rages. A lot hangs on its outcome.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Networkns with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.