Munich Security Conference

Security conference: Little hope for truce in Syria

Instead of solutions for the Middle East show, the Munich security conference over the specter of a new Cold war will be discussed. Also on the last day, there was little optimism. Matthias von Hein, Munich, Germany.

Wolfgang Ischinger managed, at the end of the Munich security conference the increasingly gloomy mood at least a little bit lighten up. As the audience of the phone call between US President Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin reported, from at least stated willingness of both sides to a ceasefire in Syria to work. So got the arg dampened hope of an implementation in the night to Friday agreed to a cease-fire in Syria back lift. However, warned the head of the security conference in his closing remarks, also strongly, sometimes is the use of military force is necessary to create peace.

Hardly conciliatory tones

The Syria conflict and the opposition between the West and Russia have this 52. Munich security conference significantly influenced. Also the last Panel dealt mainly with this hotspot. Under the title “Growing cracks, shifts of power? The new geopolitics of the Middle East” languages, among others, US Senator John McCain, the CDU-Außenpolitiker Norbert Röttgen and the former Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab as the representative of the Syrian Opposition. The final comment was the Israeli defence Minister Moshe Yaalon. Conciliatory tones were not there to hear.

John McCain: “Putin is using Syria as a training ground for the Russian army”

Senator McCain was extremely skeptical about the implementation of a ceasefire in Syria: Putin doesn’t want a Partner of the West, but only its goals to succeed in the Region. The Kremlin chief use in Syria “as a training ground for the Russian military”, said the US-Republicans. He threw Putin also deliberately with his military intervention, “the refugee crisis continues to intensify and as a weapon”. Thus wool of the Russian President, the European project will be undermined.

McCain has also saved not with the criticism of the Administration of Barack Obama. The he threw to the Lack of any strategy for the Middle East. The Nuclear Deal with Iran rated McCain as a big mistake, a hostile set only Makes stronger make. He desires for Syria, the establishment of no fly zones. In which should not only civilians seek protection, but also fighters of the moderate Syrian Opposition. The one could be there to arm and train. Forces of regional allies such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia should be under US leadership the IS-stronghold Rakka free. In McCain’s eyes could all of this, with the appropriate political will to be implemented quickly. But the White house is lacking of leadership and Entscheidungswillen.

Criticism of Russia and the Western community of Nations

New escalation: During the Munich security conference, announced the Turkey a possible deployment of ground troops to Syria to

In the assessment of the Iran deal wich alone Norbert Röttgen of the other Panel participants. The CDU-politician defended the agreement. In relation to Russia and his intentions he was also skeptical and demanded a clear stance against Moscow. In no case should good behaviour in Syria through concessions in the Ukraine crisis have to be bought. The lifting of sanctions had on the improvement of the situation in the Ukraine remain coupled. Self-critically noticed Röttgen, Europe have the eyes in front of the Syrian Drama closed, especially after the destruction of the chemical weapons. You could have early zones for humanitarian aid set up and on peace talks to penetrate.

Riad Hijab, the former Syrian Prime Minister, now heads the Verhandlungskomitee of the Opposition, with its headquarters in saudi Arab Riyadh. He described the catastrophic situation of the civilian population in Syria. Responsible for he made dictator Bashar al-Assad, Russia and Iran. Hijab showed itself to be deeply disappointed by the international community: The have his people in the lurch. Evasively responded Hijab on the question of whether he the commanders of the Opposition’s participation in the planned ceasefire to suggest to will.

Moshe Yaalon warns of greater military involvement of Iran in Syria

Fear of Iran

Israel’s defense Minister Moshe Yaalon called Iran as a Sponsor of global terror, as a clear enemy, the self or with the help of its allies in the Region destabilisiere and the Sunni-led governments in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to overthrow wool. Not surprisingly, rejected Yaalon’s Nuclear Deal with Iran, strictly. In the consequence will be Iran, only more financial resources, in order to buy weapons, to produce and among its allies to distribute. In addition, the Israeli defence Minister, did the Iran Deal, the Sunni Arabs in the Region, disappointed and hugely upset. The idea, in Syria could Assad with Iranian help to stay in Power, is for Yaalon to be a nightmare: The mean of the Iranian revolutionary guards on the Golan heights, he said.

The closing words of the moderator could at least some of a Smile to a worried face: “hope,” she said, “is not a strategy – pessimism, but just a little.”