Politics

Putin and Obama Are All (Tense) Smiles Despite Russian Warships in Syria

Today’s news that Russia would be sending several warships down to Syria in anticipation of a need to protect its own citizens from violent actors in that nation sent shockwaves through the international community. Many analysts have suggested that the move is intended as a warning to the United States that Russia is prepared to go to war in the event that U.S. forces are sent to directly intervene to stop the violence.

Vladimir Putin and President Obama Present Tense But Cordial Public Face Despite Russian Aggression in Syria

The wartorn province of Homs in Syria

Yet at the same time, President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reportedly remained eerily cozy. The Hill reported today (emphasis added):

President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for nearly two hours ahead of the Group of 20 Summit in Mexico on Monday, and the White House was ready with a 1,600-word joint statement signaling all the two leaders agree on. In brief remarks both leaders gave after the meeting, Putting said the leaders had many “commonalities” on Syria, and Obama said they agreed there had to be a “cessation” of the violence.” [...]

Vladimir Putin and President Obama Present Tense But Cordial Public Face Despite Russian Aggression in Syria

President Obama with Russian President Vladimir Putin

In their public statements, however, the two leaders ignored many areas where they clash, not the least of which is the situation in Syria, from the dust-up over Russian-made attack helicopters in Syria last week to Russian marines headed to Syria to the U.N. Security Council vetoes.

The press pool report after the meeting where the leaders spoke might have provided a hint about the tenor of the meeting. The report said that “during the couple of minutes that it took all the photographers, TV crew and reporters to gather their equipment and head out the one door leading into the room, Messrs. Obama and Putin remained seated, their interpreters had stepped away, sitting side-by-side on the other side of the room — and they just stared straight ahead. No interacting or chit chatting.”

This is scarcely the sort of behavior one would expect from foreign leaders who are on good terms, whatever their public statements say. More to the point, Russian media sources like the Moscow Times have an alarming take on Russia’s intentions:

What’s more, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, citing anonymous military sources, reported that the Defense Ministry is considering sending soldiers from the elite Pskov airborne forces and special forces from the “Zapad” and “Vostok” units based in Chechnya to protect Russian interests in Syria, if necessary.

Despite numerous denials from President Vladimir Putin and the Foreign Ministry, it is clear that Russia is committed to protecting the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad at all costs. If push comes to shove, this could lead to a direct Russian military intervention in Syria’s civil war.

No matter how much the Defense Ministry and Kremlin propagandists try to justify sending a military contingent for the “legitimate defense of Russian installations,” they overlook the fact that in civil wars, such installations are either dismantled or abandoned.

If true, how much of this “at all costs” approach has Putin shared with Obama? And might that be the cause of the outsized tenseness between the two leaders? Moreover, might this perhaps be making President Obama reconsider his promises of “flexibility” to the Russians? Time will tell.

Comments (61)

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  • Cymry
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:09pm

    the picture should be entitled “six of some, half a dozen of another”

    if you’re not familiar with biblical prophecy, then you are unaware of how uncannily eerie the present situation in the middle east reflects prophecies concerning the return of Jesus, end times, whatever you want to call it.

    the bible and it’s prophecies seem as distant from our conscious waking life as they are from the time they were given thousands of years ago but there is a God (Elohim) and His son Jesus is going to return to this earth that He created. those of us who call Him Lord and Savior will be raptured and those of you who do not, won’t. this is not hateful but only the truth. there is nothing (other than your own self-importance) stopping you from avoiding literal hell on earth during the tribulation by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior and asking for the forgiveness of your sins.

    the time is close. nobody but the Father knows the hour or the day but we are commanded to know the season and the olive tree is about to bear fruit. He stands at the door and knocks, please answer.

    Report Post » Cymry  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:18am

      Saying “I need more time until after the elections” to a Soviet KGB man is the same thing as saying “Go to war with me now while I am in a weak position”. Our guy truly is an amateur. Putin most assuredly is not. Putin knows that if Obama gets us into another war, his election hopes are over. More importantly, he knows that Obama knows that as well. Obama isn’t about to start another Cold War, he’s about to lose the first one.

      As goes Syria, so goes Poland. As goes Poland, so goes Europe.

      This is it I do believe.

      God Almighty, please bless us, we know not what we are doing nor of the evils we are awakening. The greatest man made powers this world has ever known are going to once again battle, we will strive to be on Your side.

      Here’s the lineup of major players so far:
      Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Syria, China, North Korea – And I think we can now add Egypt to this list.

      VS.

      US, Great Britain, Israel, India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea

      Turkey is a question mark. Once a solid ally of the US I’m not so sure anymore what they will do.

      At this point the rest of Europe is also a giant question mark. France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Greece, Portugal are likely already white flag states. I think the German’s are eerily quiet given the atmosphere in Europe. A quiet German is always a plotting German as my Uncle Olaf used to say.

      The only thing left to do now is to start placing wagers.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:20am

      B/W Communism!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • americanfirst
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:20pm

      TO BE SURE…
      Obama has Putin on retainer to “fabricate” the needed crisis to indefinitely cancel the elections in November.
      I see NOTHING that has happened during the fictitious Obama Presidency as “organic”…NOTHING!

      Consequently, I will not recognize his name on my ballot at all!!!

      Report Post »  
  • Just-a-bubba
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:52pm

    Body language – He‘s got the upper hand grip and he’s going for a hand tap above the elbow near the lower shoulder. However forward focus and pistol grip is speaking disagreement to the body language photo op.

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:45pm

    Putin; “I hope my KGB needle ring is working”.

    BHO: “Ouch, is that all you got Putin? Let’s take a ride in my Choom Limo….. the Beast”.

    Que Grace Slick songs…..

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:58pm

      When the truth is found to be lies
      And all the joy within you dies
      Don’t you want somebody to drug
      Don’t you need somebody to drug
      Wouldn’t you love somebody to drug
      You better find somebody to drug

      When the garden flowers baby are dead yes
      And your mind is full of commie reds
      Don’t you want somebody to drug
      Don’t you need somebody to drug
      Wouldn’t you love somebody to drug
      You better find somebody to drug

      Your eyes, I say your eyes may look like his
      But in your head baby I‘m afraid you don’t know where it is
      Don’t you want somebody to drug
      Don’t you need somebody to drug
      Wouldn’t you love somebody to drug
      You better find somebody to drug

      Tears are running ah running down your breast
      And your friends baby they treat you like a guest
      Don’t you want somebody to drug
      Don’t you need somebody to drug
      Wouldn’t you love somebody to drug
      You better find somebody to drug

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:56pm

      Entertainment Thru Enlightenment !

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
  • barber2
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:39pm

    Did they coordinate their outfits for the media ?

    Report Post »  
  • scudster
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:21pm

    Looks like Obama is trying to cuddle to the evil empire again, He’s got the Russians right where they want us! His presidency has been America’s darkest hour.

    Report Post » scudster  
  • Texter5000
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:19pm

    God help us. Putin will walk circles around BO. Putin knows BO will do nothing because he is in election year and must collect votes from his hippie friends. Great move on Putin’s part. He is making his move. Don’t worry we have the first black/gay President. That alone will protect us from the dictators. Putin will bow because he is black and gay. Wow how frightening.

    How do you like that affirmative action? Instead we are dealing with the world and not some stinking college class.

    Romney better come out of the gates with the biggest stick ever seen because he will have a lot of fools to beat over the head thanks to the great hope and changer.

    Report Post »  
  • georgepatton
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:13pm

    BULL,
    PUKE-IN and PREZ. ZERO wants to have weapons aimed at Israel.
    Does anyone who’s serious really believe that those two give a hoot in hell about Syria!

    Report Post »  
    • LeQuoix
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:37pm

      Russia already has weapons aimed at Israel. Putin needs to keep Syria as an ally because of Russia’s internal muslim problems. Lose that grip and the Muslim brotherhood will be emboldened. CHECHNYA and the other states will get fired up. Iran already is playing both sides and Putin knows it. You have all hell break lose in the Russian states with Iran’s instigation you will see a hell of a mess happen. And Russia can not afford to commit to a long western Asian war Becaye China will own Siberia. The troops are massed already on the Chinese / Russian border. NOBODY wants to implicate China playing Iran more so than the Russians. AND O ain’t got a clue what to do.

      Report Post » LeQuoix  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:53am

      It’s exported Russian reactors that he Iranians have. Make no mistake, Iran is as much Russia’s domain as Iraq is the U.S.’s. The path to ownership was obviously different, but in the end both powers have their bases ready and tanks buried under the same sands in the region.

      Report Post »  
    • wzanesdad
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:49pm

      I can remember when Reagan met with Gorbechov in germany to finalize the first start treaty. Russia decided at the last minute that it wanted more in the treaty. Reagan was so mad that, in front of the whole worlds cameras…he told Gorby “this failure is your fault….I trusted you, and YOU have destroyed it”….I wish we had that kind of honesty in the white house now.

      Report Post » wzanesdad  
  • Wolfgang the Gray
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:10pm

    What? No bow to Putin? Obama’s back must be getting sore.

    Oh well, don’t worry, Obama will be far more “flexible” after November.

    Report Post » Wolfgang the Gray  
  • Magyar
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:02pm

    This POS narcissist president actually believes that because of his mere presence the world should fall to their knees in reverence—–

    Even world leaders have no respect for him—Just look at Putin’s blinding admiration..he’s staring off into space and wishing OWEbama would just disappear!

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:01pm

    …
    America is about to be on fire, and thanks to Obama, our only water bucket has a hole in it.
    Vote out this evil troll in November. It‘s America’s only hope.

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:00pm

    Ronald Reagan would chew Puty-Puut up and spit him out..Barry , the spineless drone thrower, will do what he does best, vote present.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • poorrichard09
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:50pm

    Why wouldn’t two MARXISTS be happy to see each other? Putin sees BO as a useful idiot.

    Report Post »  
    • Sicboy
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:59pm

      Because each one knows their lying to each other.

      Report Post » Sicboy  
  • MBA
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:30pm

    Putin knows a boob when he meets one.

    Report Post »  
    • On The Bayou
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:42pm

      There both on the same team and they have to act like they dislike each other. Wasn`t it Obama just a few weeks ago that told the Russians he`d be alot more flexible after he wins the election.

      Report Post » On The Bayou  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:29pm

    It’s a phony act on both their parts. They are buddies. We saw the truth when Obama whispered that he will be more “flexible” after the election.

    Report Post » Tigress1  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:21pm

    Just wait until he can be “flexible” Vlad!

    Report Post » dmerwin  
  • Sicboy
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:19pm

    READ IT http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2012/06/18/how-wall-street-and-unions-are-ruining-politics

    Report Post » Sicboy  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:03pm

      Interesting read. I would love to see support for and against the argument by those close to the issues.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
  • possom
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:18pm

    A picture of obama and his handler how nice.

    Report Post » possom  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:18pm

    Putin, like most nation leaders, know they have Obama over a barrel. Thus the world is on fire as never before in the last century or so.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • mrsmileyface
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:17pm

    Heck even Putin is laughing at Obama on the outside. The whole world knows Obama is the weakest President on foriegn policy and they ( Countrys that hate us ) will take advantage of that.

    Report Post » mrsmileyface  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:17pm

    They both may me sick.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:14pm

    …
    Looking at the photo of Barack Hussein Obama with Vladimir Putin, makes my skin crawl.
    They are evil serpents, who are plotting the demise of we tiny white mice.

    Report Post »  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:14pm

    How in any way does Syria killing its citizens have anything to do with us?

    Report Post » Mutiny  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:24pm

      Absolutely nothing but McCain and Graham are getting aroused just thinking about how they can get us involved in yet another unconstitutional war.RINOS suck and need to be purged from the republican party.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • georgepatton
      Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:17pm

      IT doesn’t ,the target is Israel, and Pukin and Obammy are going to look like the real losers that they are after Israel kicks some serious ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:13pm

    The bisexual Marxist will be much more flexible in November when he’s fired,maybe you can get intimate with Vlad,maybe Vlad can show you his impaler.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • KEL
    Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:12pm

    Yup, looks like he’s going for a bow!

    Report Post »  
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