Syria: Everyone saves face thanks to Russia

Russia proposes Syria should surrender all chemical weapons to an international body. This will win the day. The UN will get a high status role.  Obama, the Great Statesman will be credited for avoiding war. Syria makes a public gesture but gets back door payments. (And has already said it likes the idea).  Political favours won't be used up to get Congressmen voting against the will of Americans. Russia expands its influence. The question of who actually fired the Sarin-laden shells doesn't have to be answered truthfully which may please rebel groups too, besides making them a little safer. No one will ever really know if all the chemical weapons are gone but some good photo ops should suffice. What's not to like?

The deal makes the world look quite capable of getting along without the US of A. This is a wet dream for the EU, and Russia.  All that's missing is a special role to make China look good.  (They have sent a naval vessel to secure a seat at the table.)

Hypocritical and cynical but a good deal, nonetheless.

Caption for the picture (from the Boston Globe story): Syria’s foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, said his country welcomes Russia’s proposal for it to place its chemical weapons under international control and then dismantle them quickly to avert US strikes.

Bonus for Putin: Saving face for Obama helps keep Obama as the face of American foreign policy for another three years.