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Author : A. Yakovenko
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the United Kingdom
TODAY, our Western partners seem ready to take
into account the lessons of Iraq where the ruling
Baath party and the army were disbanded during
American occupation leaving the ungovernable
country. History knows no examples of successful
"regime change": disintegration of all structures
of state governance is inevitable. Successful
"regime change" is a utopia; those who think dif-
ferently are indulging in dangerous fantasies the
price of which is unacceptably high.
Among the myths shattered is the belief that unilateralism, especially military intervention, works.
All unilateral actions of the past 25 years have proven to be utter failures. Be it in Iraq, Libya or
the Arabian Peninsula, the costs to the region and the world still mounting. A truly collective in-
ternational effort helps find sober and pragmatic middle ground which offers hope of success.
It saves from the temptation to simplify and cut corners. It clears the road to an agreed goal of
hidden agendas of all the players concerned.
All agree that airstrikes alone won't stop ISIL and those affiliated with them. It must be a coalition
of the like-minded, including those who are fighting the extremists on the ground, i.e. the Syrian
and Iraqi armies, the Kurds and the countries hosting them, which could provide assistance in
that struggle. Russia already provides such assistance to Iraq and Syria.
There is no point in discussing the origins of the present situation in Iraq and Syria. What counts
is the mortal threat it poses. It is time to act.
Today, there is a "grey" or probably "black hole" in the region that is used to channel the flows
of illegal migrants to Europe. The crisis in Syria, the unyielding position of those who insist
that Assad's resignation as a precondition of political settlement is more important than anti-
ISIS struggle add to the present crisis in Europe. Time has come to admit that cooperation with
extremist and radical forces is unacceptable.
Short of genuine regional cooperation, there will be no hope in the region, no stability and no
development. This is the only way to find a sustainable solution to the migration crisis in Europe,
too. People in the region, especially the young, with no prospects of education and jobs, are
facing the stark choice between emigration and joining the extremist outfits.
Old politics does not provide solutions to today's problems. All the more reason for us to help
others learn the universal lessons of history, rather than let them repeat it. Outside players failed
the region in the past. We cannot fail it now.
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Международная жизнь
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The Middle East: Learning Lessons or Repeating Mistakes?