As the Syrian war rages on and intense preparations are underway for Feb. 23 peace talks in Geneva, a key question being raised is whether Moscow and Washington might be coming together to reach a deal on Syria, or at least pooling their efforts to tackle the Islamic State (IS). The idea of such cooperation is anticipated by some and rejected by others.
A potential call for military cooperation with the US is brewing among Russian experts. Given the nontransparent nature of the Russian decision-making process, it’s hard to tell how accepting midlevel military personnel and diplomats are of this prospect. Most seem rather cautious about getting their hopes up for cooperation with the US. Some, like their American counterparts, feel a deep-seated distrust. But all are watching the thorny staffing process in Washington, trying to read the cards of nominations and what they might mean for the character of American foreign policies.
In the Kremlin, the idea of forging a tactical alliance with the US is considered possible and is certainly hoped for. President Vladimir Putin seems to believe in the concept of a US-Russia "Coalition Against World Evil 2.0” as the modern-day reincarnation of the alliance that defeated Nazi Germany in World War II. Should US President Donald Trump give it a green light, his Russian counterpart would fully embrace it.
Very telling of that is Moscow's consideration of Anatoly Antonov as its top pick for the new Russian ambassador to the US. A career diplomat commissioned to serve as deputy defense minister in 2011, Antonov has virtually become the face of the Russian campaign in Syria. In December, Putin transferred Antonov back as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s 10th deputy, responsible for what he has proved good at over the years: military-political affairs. Should Antonov be appointed as Russia’s top man in Washington, it would be a clear sign that the Kremlin prioritizes this political-military dimension of the US-Russia relationship as a major area for cooperation — including in Syria. Such cooperation might be selective and it might never be smooth, but it’s hoped to pave the way to a broader “normalization process” with America.
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