'There is Agenda in US to Pursue a Confrontational Course With Russia'

The US State Department said the White House had formally suspended talks with Russia over the Syrian crisis, blaming Moscow for failing to live up to its commitments. Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said the United States is trying to shift blame on Russia for the current situation in Syria.

Radio Sputnik discussed the issue with Finian Cunningham, freelance journalist and commentator on international affairs.

“It is a way to scapegoat the failure of the ceasefire. The ceasefire was never implemented after it was officially declared active on September 12. Various military groups continued violating it hundreds of times during the first week.”

“The other aspect was that Washington avoided separating the various militant groups. It in a way exposed the whole fallacy of the Washington claims..,” Cunningham told Sputnik.

He further spoke about Russia and whether it had violated the ceasefire. The analyst said that it did not. He said that the, “Syrian government forces did try to comply with a cessation of violence. The main perpetrators of the violations of the ceasefire were the opposition groups, the various groups that Washington and its allies support.”

Talking about Washington’s policy in Syria, Cunningham said, “There seems to be a sort of a split in the US government. On the one hand, you have the diplomatic core headed up by John Kerry and President Obama it seems has given his countenance to a diplomatic pursuit.”

“On the other hand, there is a more militarist line of thought coming from the Pentagon. The Pentagon chief, Ashton Carter was very much publically dissing Kerry’s attempts to work out a diplomatic solution with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov,” the analyst said.

He further said that the Pentagon and the CIA have invested heavily in military strategy in Syria for a regime change so there is a kind of “contradiction in the US power structure.”

Cunningham further said that if Hillary Clinton wins the elections, which she might because she has a strong military backing, she will take a much more militaristic approach in Syria as she has already said that she will do.

“Global perspective is that Washington won’t stop complete hegemony in global affairs and its unipolar dominance. Russia represents a multi polar world in par with China, so the Americans are in confrontation with Russia, China and anyone else who threatens their hegemonic ambitions.”

The analyst said that it is not just about Syria. Ukraine and various other issues such as the downing of the Malaysian airliner and various other allegations that Washington levels against Russia on human rights.

“There is an agenda in Washington to pursue a confrontational course with Russia,” Cunningham said.

He further spoke about the “US Empire” and the future of it in the coming years. “Washington is witnessing rise of Russia and China and that is threatening its hegemonic control of the world.”

Cunningham mentioned what Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova said.  She called Washington’s policy reckless and confrontational.

“The US is pushing for a possible confrontation with Russia. It might not willingly anticipate this but the way Washington keeps confronting and antagonizing Russia in Syria and elsewhere, it could very dangerously lead to an all-out war,” Cunningham stressed.

Maria Zakharova also said that the United States is trying to shift blame on Russia for the current situation in Syria as Moscow and Washington back opposing sides in the war-torn country.