By Vestnik Kavkaza
In Iraq the national armed forces continue fighting against the terrorists of Islamic State. Victims are numerous. Last weekend as a result of several explosions in Baghdad more than 30 people were killed, about 90 were injured. The Russian Foreign Ministry promised to provide Baghdad with “active support in improvement of military efficiency of the national armed forces, settlement of acute problems which the Iraqi government faces.” Moscow believes that reaching national consensus through dialogue and development of consensus agreements between participants of the internal political process could lead to a success in the fight against extremists.
Andrei Baklanov, ambassador, advisor to the deputy chairman of the Federation Council, told Vestnik Kavkaza about Moscow’s view on the situation in the Middle East.
- There is another escalation today. The Americans plan to use military forces more intensively. The worst thing is that the international community doesn’t consider the problem at a collective level. First of all, it is necessary to understand the nature of the structure, and secondly, we should think about our steps for settling the situation.
Islamic State is supported by various forces. On the one side, they are supported by open terrorist elements, international criminal groups. But in the situation which occurred in Iraq and Syria after the well-known American actions there are many disoriented people and those who are searching for an alternative to the current situation. They should work with them as well to prevent Islamic State from using their potential and striving.
Thus, there are many problems which should be solved by the international community together. Unfortunately, the U.S. assumed the right to decide where and what should be done and to use military force. They took the role on their own. Nobody empowered them. And they play the role badly. The activities of the Americans have never led to positive changes anywhere – there was no implementation of democratic methods of state management or growth in living standards. On the contrary, the situation took a turn for the worst.
The appearance of Islamic State proves that nobody should rule the destinies of nations on their own. One should consult with nations, regional states and world superpowers, including Russia. At the moment we can see a military scenario; we should do our best to change the scenario for an alternative which would lead to a political settlement.
- What do you think about the threat posed by Islamic State to the world?
- The threat is great. They are similar to the U.S. They assumed a mission which Muslims didn’t impose on them, I mean establishing a caliphate. Nobody empowered them to do it. This is their own risky initiative. It is dangerous because it leads to attempts to spread influence to other countries and regions. They treat official state borders easily and change them. We can see it in Iraq and Syria. But in the future it could take place anywhere. This is a bomb not only for the region, but for the whole international community.
I think the international community doesn’t take sufficient steps. We should change the course of our activity toward Islamic State and start coordinated and intensive activities.
- Is there a threat to European civilization?
- Of course there is. Unlike the Taliban, which was situated far away, IS is situated close to Europe, to the Mediterranean Sea, and Russia. Terrorists can easily move from one region to another. It is easy. Unlike the Taliban, which was the first force that tried to establish a pseudo-religious regime, today the attempt is much more dangerous for a large number of states.
