The US independent publication Counterpunch writes about whether there is a likelihood of a rapprochement between the US and Russia. The US President failed in his attempt to "reset" relations with the Kremlin, and this has raised the question of Russian-American relations and the prospects of their establishment or further deterioration. Many analysts, according to the current situation, believe that convergence will not happen in the near future, since the two states are competing with each other, and in addition, Russia is a threat to the American leadership in the world. A similar trend can be seen in US-Chinese relations, but cooperation with China is of a higher priority for Washington than cooperation with Moscow.
However, despite the deterioration in bilateral relations and open aggression from the United States, Russia is gradually restoring its position as a world leader, to whose opinion the international community listens. Moscow is also actively cooperating with China both economically and strategically. It is obvious that such an alliance between the two countries is aimed primarily at countering American hegemony in the world.
The threat of an open confrontation between the US and Russia exists, but do not forget that the parties continue to cooperate on a number of international issues. For example, both countries participated in the signing of the agreement on the Iranian nuclear program, cooperated in solving the problem of chemical weapons in Syria in 2013, and both countries have recognized the growing influence of ISIS as a threat to national security. In addition, both Russia and the United States continue to endeavor to resolve the Syrian crisis.
The United States is to blame for the deterioration of relations with Russia. Many US experts say that a coalition with the Kremlin would be important in order to beat ISIS, and the demonization of Russia in the Western media is an unjustified step leading into the abyss. The West is responsible for a new cold war with Russia, which is a typical clause in the scheme of great-power politics. The hostile rhetoric on the part of American politicians aggravates the tensions in the world, and the hegemonic plans of Washington are disguised as an attempt to ‘defend national interests’.
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The British publication The Independent writes about the deteriorating position of Turkey in the international arena. Erdogan's attempts to prevent the growing influence of the Kurds and inept diplomacy has the opposite effect on the world community. The tensions between Istanbul and Washington deteriorated after the special envoy of President Obama met with the leader of the Kurdish Democratic Union (CDS) in Cobán. It was the heroic defense of Cobán against ISIS which aroused international admiration and condemnation from the Turkish side.
According to Erdogan, the CDS is a terrorist organization, and all who support the Kurds are on the side of the terrorists, including the United States. Despite the fact that Washington and Istanbul are allies, their positions regarding the Kurds diverge sharply, which in turn leads to a worsening of the relations between the countries and increases the international isolation of Turkey.
The CDS managed to gain control of most of northern Syria along the border with Turkey and to establish three autonomous cantons between the Tigris, Euphrates and Iraq. In response to this, Erdogan has already made a statement that the border crossing to the west of the Euphrates River will be the signal for action on the part of Turkey. The 98-km zone along the Turkish border is strategically important for Istanbul, since this is the route that ISIS uses for transporting oil to interested countries. The United States urged Turkey to close the zone, but the administration refused to comply with the request, and now it is clear that the Kurds will put an end to the illegal transit of energy resources from the territory of Syria.
The international community is increasingly wary of Erdogan's policy, which is extremely volatile. Trying to achieve leadership in the region, the President of Turkey managed to spoil relations with Russia, and now with the United States as well. In the future this behavior of the Turkish leadership may lead to the ultimate isolation of the country from other world powers.
