Security, WORLD

When rebel-controlled areas came under chemical attacks, Western leaders raised a hue and cry, but they shrugged it off when civilians living in government-controlled areas became the targets.

The situation in Syria is that of a frozen conflict, following the agreements made between Russia, Turkey and Syria on the demilitarized zone created around Idlib.

Russia and India have an almost 60-year history of military cooperation that ensures that Moscow will be an indispensable supplier of defense equipment and weaponry for the foreseeable future.

It has become a trend — Russia is blamed for whatever goes wrong, without any evidence to support such accusations.

In Libya, Russia is ready to cooperate with the West, as both are interested in preventing that big, oil-rich country from becoming a safe haven for terrorists.

The Moscow conference should be seen as a lifeline that helps the US to avoid an Afghan quagmire. The regional states welcome it.

The Moscow conference demonstrated that Russia has become a potentially vital bridge between the Taliban, the Afghan government, and the US at a time when Washington is seeking to end this war that is sapping its resources.

Had Syrians known what was planned for them by Washington and Tel Aviv, they might have avoided the death and destruction in Syria, for patriotism and wisdom call upon the various factions in the State to put aside their differences and confront the external threats.

The Moscow Mechanism is being invoked to divert attention from serious and pressing problems that are beyond what the OSCE or any other Western-dominated institution can manage.

The unilateral imposition of the sanctions against Iran will produce more than just economic fallout — it will deal a blow to the international non-proliferation regime.