Moderator Shui Junyi:
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Global Sight, which is being broadcast live on the news channel. I’m Shui Junyi. Russian President Vladimir Putin published an article in The New York Times, which mercilessly attacked the US government, which caused an uproar among American media and politicians. The heavyweight Senator Menendez publicly said that he almost wanted to vomit after reading Putin’s article. The White House also made a fierce counterattack. What did Putin write to make Americans so angry? In addition, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad recently said in an interview with RIA Novosti that Obama must promise not to arm the opposition, otherwise he will not hand over chemical weapons. What does such a tough stance mean? Will it be the reason for the United States to attack it again? Today, our studio invited special commentators, Mr. Yin Zhuo and Mr. Song Xiaojun, to participate in our discussion. First of all, let’s take a short film to learn the details.
Commentary:
The dramatic situation in Syria has made progress again after Obama announced his request to Congress to postpone the vote on the military strike against Syria. On the 12th, the Syrian government submitted relevant documents to the United Nations on its accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention. The United Nations said that this means that Syria has officially started the process of accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention. On the same day, the Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations, Jaafari, said that in a legal sense, Syria has become a member of the Convention.
On the same day, the Russian media broadcast an interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
President Bashar al-Assad of Syria:
I want to reiterate that without Russia’s proposal, we would not discuss the transfer of chemical weapons with any country, saying that Syria was threatened to give up chemical weapons, which is a propaganda means of the United States, because Kerry and Obama always want to show the United States as a winner who achieved their goals through threats.
Commentary:
At the same time, in the interview, Assad once again denied that the Syrian government used chemical weapons. He said that the chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Damascus on the 21 ST of last month was caused by terrorists to provoke the United States to use force against Syria. They have chemical weapons provided by foreign countries, and Syrian government forces have never used chemical weapons. In recent days, Obama’s plan to attack Syria militarily is under siege, and Russia’s plan of exchanging chemical weapons for peace has received more and more international support. Since Obama announced the postponement of the plan, the chemical weapons crisis in Syria seems to have begun to develop in a good direction. However, the game between the United States and Russia on the situation in Syria is still going on.
On the 12th, a long letter to the American people and political leaders was published in the The New York Times that day, and the author was Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the article, Putin warned the United States that "military strikes against Syria will only bring chaos and casualties." And pointed out that "many countries no longer regard the United States as a model of democracy, but only know how to play rough." For this article, the British "Guardian" said that while Putin extended a hand of friendship and cooperation to Obama, he repeatedly stabbed Obama’s wound with a knife. Just a few hours after Putin’s article was published, US Secretary of State Kerry flew to Geneva, Switzerland, and held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on the Syrian chemical weapons for peace plan. The New York Times commented on the dramatic changes in the Syrian situation. Just as Obama hesitated, Putin stood in the center of the stage. However, some commentators believe that even if the proposal of exchanging chemical weapons for peace becomes a reality, it will still face many political and operational difficulties in real implementation. However, there are still variables whether the United States, Russia and Syria can reach a preliminary plan for the solution of chemical weapons. At that time, will the United States still put a military strike plan on the table, and how will the situation in Syria develop? Still worthy of attention.
Moderator:
There was a sentence in the second half of the short film just now, which I think left a deep impression on me, saying that Putin stood in the center of the stage just as Obama hesitated. Before the next conversation today, there is a very popular video from Russia today. Please watch it together. As we all know, the most popular column in the world, including China, is called "The Voice of China". Not long ago, it was said that Putin also made a good voice in Russia, and not only did he make a good voice in Russia, but he also won the turn of three tutors. This was the scene at that time, and the picture quality was average.
Let’s look at this picture and ask for advice. This is Putin’s side. In addition, of course, we have seen that Putin has many other sides, but it really surprised many people, including many Americans. Putin still has such a skill, that is, he wrote a commentary in the The New York Times, a best-selling newspaper in the United States and the western world, which suddenly caused such an uproar. What do you think of Mr. Yin?
Yin Zhuo Special Commentator:
I think Putin wants to light another fire, give Obama another push and push him down when public opinion, especially domestic public opinion, is unfavorable to Obama.
Moderator:
What do you mean?
Expert opinion: Putin "lights a fire" on Obama’s unfavorable public opinion.
Yin Zhuo:
Because we know that Obama decided to go to war this time, he had already crossed the red line, and now Bashar al-Assad’s regime has crossed the red line and decided to use force, and he has made a lot of hard words, whether your parliament agrees or not, I will use force, I have the right to use force, and so on. Now the domestic public opinion and the public opinion of the whole parliament are unfavorable to him. He feels that the number of votes is unfavorable to him and the possibility of passing it in the parliament is very small. Moreover, public opinion is widespread, and more than 60% of Americans oppose the use of force against Syria.
Moderator:
It is basically impossible to get such support in parliament.
Yin Zhuo:
In mainstream public opinion, in opinion polls, there is no such support. And Putin now, it turns out that he wants to stand on the moral high ground against Russia, that is, you used weapons of mass destruction as an excuse to use force against Syria. Of course, he is standing on the moral high ground, because big countries kill weapons, which is prohibited by international law.
Moderator:
The whole world opposes it.
Commenting: Putin severely criticized the abuse of power by the United States
Yin Zhuo:
But also killed many women, especially children, and children suffered a lot of casualties, so he stood on the moral high ground. On the other hand, now he has stood morally low, Putin has stood high, and Putin has clicked on this article again. You won the Nobel Prize, but you had better fight. You are a militant. At this time, Putin has become the commanding height of morality, but he is a militant. Put aside the use of chemical weapons, because Putin took it out because of the drastic measures. Bashar handed over the whole chemical weapons. Is it possible for you to use force? Now Putin stands on the moral high ground and asks him to promise not to use force. The United States will never promise. It is precisely because of such a contrast that he lost his moral points.
Moderator:
Let’s take a look at what Putin wrote on the The New York Times. In one passage, he said, "I doubt that many people all over the world now feel more and more that the United States is not a model of democracy, but only resorts to brutal force and forms gangs under the slogan of being either friends or enemies." In addition, he said that no matter how clear the target is and how sophisticated the weapons are, it is impossible to avoid civilian casualties, including the elderly and children, those who wanted to protect through action. "
In fact, he also said a passage, which we didn’t extract. He said that the United States should not always feel unique or different from the rest of society. You are actually a member of the international family. Therefore, in addition to some politicians in the United States, including the White House, who will immediately fight back later, many commentators say that Putin is very reliable. You see, he helped me in a difficult situation; Some people say that this year’s Nobel Peace Prize belongs to Putin. What does Mr. Song think? The so-called Putin gave Obama a hand at a critical moment, and now he is standing on such a commanding height to teach a lesson. Americans say not to think that Americans are unique in the world?
Expert opinion: Putin not only gave "steps" but also "helped them down"
Song Xiaojun Special Commentator:
Putin not only helped Obama, but also gave him a step and helped him. Therefore, in this case, it was Obama who was riding a tiger. The United States conducted a Gallup survey in the same period. The wars fought in the past 22 years, the Gulf War and the Iraq War, including Kosovo, were many times, including opinion polls. This time it was the lowest, 36%, like 82% when it was fought in Afghanistan, that is, in 2001, after the "September 11" incident, when it was fought in Iraq. But this time it’s 36%, and it’s still falling. How do you think Putin can get down this step? People give you a step to help you, what should they get? What I got was the good voice we talked about just now, and why he showed such an image this time, and even wrote this article in The New York Times, which shows that Putin is now facing internal problems in Russia, because local elections are about to be held in Russia. Moreover, Russia’s economic situation is not good now.
I saw the BRICS in the previous G20. In our BRICS countries, no one can do it except China, and the Russian people’s support rate for the United Russia Party is now declining. At this time, Putin has to use his personal charm to unite the Russian Party on the international stage, or win back the votes of his team in local elections, so he wants this.
Moderator:
But in any case, Obama is good, and his team seems to feel that Putin’s popularity is a bit overwhelming. Don’t forget Obama’s team. Some people say that they have always wanted to build Obama according to a star. Now there is a response to Putin’s high praise. Let’s listen to what he said.
Carney White House spokesman:
Unlike Russia, the United States represents the value of democracy and human rights in our own country and around the world. We believe that when children will not be killed by a dictator with poison gas, the global security level will also be improved.
Now 34 countries have claimed that the Assad regime was responsible for the use of chemical weapons that night.
I think it is also necessary to point out that it is a great irony to publish such a column, because it reflects the truly outstanding tradition of freedom of speech in this country, which is not shared by Russia. In the past few years, freedom of speech has greatly declined in Russia.
Commenting: The White House retorted and the war of words escalated.
Moderator:
Regardless of everything else, Carney typed it right away. There is no freedom of public opinion in Russia. Look, your president has to publish a commentary in my newspaper. But a very simple question may also be a hypothetical one, Mr. Yin, because we know that many things in Nobel are manipulated by Americans, and Americans will let Putin, if someone really nominates Putin for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, is it possible? Is there a play?
Yin Zhuo:
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
Moderator:
Why?
Expert opinion: the United States will not give Putin the title of "peacemaker"
Yin Zhuo:
Because the Nobel Peace Prize has a very strong political ideology, its political ideology is on the side of the United States. Since it awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Obama, it shows that people like Putin can never win the prize here, otherwise Putin will stand up against his own country’s system, so he wants to win the Nobel Prize. From here, we can see that from the White House spokesman, the leader of his parliament said that he was disgusting, and so on, we can see that Americans will never give Putin the title of peacemaker and let him win the Nobel Peace Prize. There is no possibility, and he will take various measures. Because now the initiative is not in Putin’s hands, the initiative is in Obama’s hands, and it is Obama, not Putin, who has the final say. Putin can only beat around the bush and say that you don’t want to fight. He can only persuade Obama not to fight, or exert pressure to really decide whether to fight or not. Who will win the Nobel Peace Prize in the end? Who will guide the outcome of the Syrian war? It is the Americans who have the final say, not the Russians, which can be judged.
Commenting: The fate of the Syrian government is decided in the ongoing negotiations on chemical weapons.
Moderator:
Another topic, let’s pay attention to Mr. Song. Today, the foreign ministers of the United States and Russia held a meeting in Geneva, which will be held in the next two days. It is said that the information leaked is not bad and promising. At the same time, however, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had a saying that he accepted RIA Novosti and said very strongly that if you armed the opposition, I’m sorry, but I may not do anything about the transfer of chemical weapons. What does this sentence mean?
Song Xiaojun:
I think he is warning the United States and Israel not to push their luck. Putin handed you the steps, helped you down the steps, and I swept the ground under the steps. As a result, you have to give offensive weapons to the opposition, that is, the Syrian Free Army. Now it is the worst army to be beaten. It is not kind to do so, so it should be said. But in fact, Kerry and Lavrov must be laughing secretly, because everyone knows that this matter is very long. For example, in 2004, Gaddafi handed over chemical weapons, and Gaddafi’s chemical weapons were much less than those in Syria.
Expert opinion: Kerry and Lavrov "stole the fun" before the talks.
By 2011, when he was killed and shot down, his chemical weapon mustard gas was treated by 40%, and the chemical weapon raw materials were treated by 50%. This is a very long matter, and basically this matter is gone. In this case, the United States also knows that this matter is a face matter, which is Putin’s face and Obama’s face. As for whether this 1,000-ton chemical weapon can be disposed of quickly, everyone will forget it in the future. As soon as the heat of the two news cycles is over, everyone will ignore it. Other things, elections and other things. But it is a bit unkind to give weapons to the opposition at this time.
Moderator:
Of course, from Assad’s point of view, he must protect his own regime, but as you said, I am afraid that all parties, whether the United States and Russia or the US Congress, are a little snickered, which finally gives everyone a sigh of relief. Ok, our Global Sight will continue later.
