Putin's move could be costly to U.S., Middle East

Whether Russia wins or loses in its attempt in Ukraine this situation has severed U.S & Russian relations. The article states that the situation in Ukraine has some consequences on the middle-eastern situation especially Syria. According to the article as go Putin fortunes, so go that of Bachard Al Assad. Putin’s boldness to have put troops on ground in Ukraine is clearly a sign to stand up to the west and defend Russia’s interests in Ukraine. So if Putin wins in his “territorial conquest” this can only reinforce Assad’s position that he can bet on the right ally. Last September Putin counter back U.S attempt to engage a military intervention in Syria, and Assad luck out from been removed. After all, the west has addressed the situation with “empty rhetoric” and “red lines”. Ukrainian sovereignty won't be the only casualty of Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to assert Russian influence and interest in Crimea. The Middle East will also be influenced by the current situation in Crimea.

I believe that unless the U.S and the international community stand up to Russia, the revolution might be deviated from its course. It was carried out to bring freedom to the Ukrainian people, but instead it is turning into occupation. This Russian action is clearly in violation of international norms and the sovereignty of Ukraine. But this is not surprising to me, after all, Russian history is full of interventionism especially in the politics of East Europe. Since the cold war, once in a while Russia tries to assert its hegemony in the region. It was Georgia in recent years and now it is the turn of Ukraine.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/02/opinion/miller-ukraine-putin-mideast/index.html?hpt=hp_t4

Abdoul Siddo.