Tillerson compares notes with his allies before traveling to Moscow

10.04.2017

On April 10, 2017, the G7 foreign ministers' summit takes place in Lucca (Italy). A wide range of issues are on the agenda, but the main one will be the Syrian crisis. The next day, the head of US diplomacy Rex Tillerson pays an official visit to Moscow. At this summit, the United States and its allies are reviewing their positions and claiming a "united front" for key points. This general position will have to present Tillerson to his Russian colleagues as a point of view of the world community.

USA - lack of coherent strategy

The US itself demonstrates that they do not have a balanced and adjusted position on this crisis. So on Sunday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson once again stated that the regime change is not a US priority in this country. The United States is again returning to the position that was voiced before the launch of missile strikes at the airbase in Syria on April 8 - the priority is the fight against ISIS. This displeases the American neo-cons, who state that the US actions were insufficient and it is necessary to continue and expand the military aggression.

Boris Johnson - the voice of the neocons

The summit will also discuss the issue of additional sanctions against Russia in connection with the situation in Syria. The initiative to tighten sanctions comes from the British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson. It is curious that he also declares the possibility of continuing American air strikes against Syria. Naturally, all decisions in the G7 are taken by the United States, so the British position can be viewed as a test ball, which is launched by certain American circles. Previously, Boris Johnson publicly called himself a neocon and supported the invasion of the United States and Britain into Iraq in 2003.

Game for the public or concessions to neocons?

The discussion of the issue of sanctions and new attacks on Syria is designed both for Russia to create an atmosphere conducive to win concessions, and for the domestic American audience, in order to keep the neo-conservative wing of the Republican Party, whose support Trump needs to address internal issues, in good shape. The attack on Syria on April 7 set a precedent. Any Trump decision on domestic policy will now be blocked by Congress until he makes sufficient concessions in foreign policy. It is doubtful, whether reciprocal concessions take place.

Related links
How The Neocons Are Tempting Trump On Syria
Russia’s intervention in Syria – trap or Katehon
Russian creativity in the "Great World War" in Syria
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