Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin in showdown over Syria

The day of exchanges held an unusual sense of drama as Obama reasserted a core US demand — the departure of Assad.

U.S. President Barack Obama extends his hand to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York September 28, 2015. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTX1SYBB

US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, clashed publicly yesterday over how to resolve the conflict in Syria, in a showdown in front of the rest of the world’s leaders that added uncertainty to the burgeoning crisis in the Middle East.

The day of exchanges held an unusual sense of drama as Mr Obama reasserted a core US demand — the ultimate departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — while Mr Putin stepped up his military’s involvement across the region, signalling a marked shift in the race for influence.

The US and Russian leaders traded barbs in duelling speeches to the UN General Assembly, then clinked champagne glasses at a luncheon before holding their first formal talks in more than two years. “The talk we had today … was very constructive, businesslike and very frank — surprisingly frank,” Mr Putin said after the 100-minute meeting.

He said he discussed with Mr Obama the need for greater bilateral co-ordination with the US against Islamic State, adding the two leaders reached “a common understanding” that they need to work together and that they “would now consider setting up appropriate mechanisms”.

Mr Obama came away from the meeting with clarity on Russia’s intentions in Syria, a senior administration official said, which the US believes is to fight Islamic State militants.

The leaders agreed to explore ways to reach a political resolution to the conflict in Syria, but still differ significantly on Assad’s future, the official said. “That’s something Russia wants to continue to pursue with us,” the official said. “It was a constructive discussion. This was not a situation where either one of them was seeking to score points in a meeting.”

Mr Obama earlier said the US was prepared to work with Russia and Iran on a resolution, but “we must recognise that there cannot be, after so much bloodshed, so much carnage, a return to the pre-war status quo.”

“Nowhere is our commitment to international order more tested than in Syria,” Mr Obama told world leaders. He called for “a managed transition away from Assad and to a new leader, and an inclusive government that recognises there must be an end to this chaos so that the Syrian people can begin to rebuild”.

In an earlier address, Iranian President Hasan Rowhani said the nuclear deal struck with world powers in July would usher in a new era of co-operation between Tehran and the world, saying it could be a framework for resolving other Middle East crises.

He invited world leaders to form a coalition to fight terrorism in the region. “Iraq, Syria and Yemen are examples of how terror can create crisis,” Mr Rowhani said, adding Iran was ready to help these countries transition to peaceful democracies just as it had assisted Iraq and Afghanistan.

US officials have said they were surprised by Russia’s newly aggressive posture in Syria, and now Iraq, prompting Mr Obama to agree to meet Mr Putin during the UN meeting.

Russia’s influence in the Middle East has grown steadily since the fall of the Soviet Union largely because of its alliance with Iran. As Iran reduced alliances with Western countries, it looked towards Russia for economic trade and military assistance. The two nat­ions also shared the common interest of reducing the US influence in the region.

Now Iraq and Syria appear to be following Iran’s trend in turning to Russia as a new patron. Russia’s swift and forceful foray into Syria and Iraq while voicing clear commitment to fight Islamic State at whatever cost is exactly what the Arab world hoped to obtain from a foreign power.

The Russian leader has been bulking up forces and bases in Syria in moves US officials say are designed to safeguard Assad and his regime. Iraq revealed this week it had signed an agreement to share intelligence with Russia, Iran and Syria, and an Iraqi defence official said the country would welcome Russian surveillance flights over Iraq.

The unpredictability of the situation posed new questions as US officials grappled with the prospect of an emerging alliance that includes its top longtime rivals and pressure to bend on its chief demand for the outcome in Syria — Assad’s departure.

That position was bolstered by French President Francois Hollande yesterday: “It is not only that (the refugees) are fleeing a war, but fleeing Assad. I cannot see the effort to include Assad (in the transition). You can’t put the victims together with him.”

Administration officials said they would have to institute procedures to avoid conflict in air operations over the tumultuous region, where the US and allies are flying bombing missions targeting Islamic State extremists as part of a coalition formed last year.

More complicated is what to do about the intelligence-sharing agreement among Iraq, Russia, Iran and Syria. The US shares intelligence with Iraq, but does not want to share equally with the other countries.

Defence officials said the situation between the US and Moscow was unfolding in real time as the leaders met at the UN, and therefore was subject to change. But on the face of it, the US ability to share intelligence about targets and objectives and operations could be diminished.

“I just don’t see a way to do it at this point,” one senior US defence official said yesterday, noting the arrangement between the Iraqis and the Russians could have an impact on what intelligence the US shares with Iraq. “Coalitions are good. Multiple coalitions are not so good,” the official said.

Mr Obama, who has sought to reduce the US presence in the Middle East, is hoping Russia and Iran would buy into a deal under which Assad eventually steps down, perhaps in a couple of years.

Mr Putin later dismissed Mr Obama’s demand that the Syrian leader leave power, delivering his own speech to the General Assembly that attacked Western policies in the Middle East.

The world “should acknowledge” Assad’s forces are fighting terrorism in Syria, Mr Putin said in announcing he would launch discussions on a UN resolution aimed at coordinating international efforts to fight Islamic State.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said in an interview that he was open to working with Russia to defeat Islamic State militants in Syria, but that backing Assad wouldn’t lead to lasting peace or stability in the region.

“One of the best ways to engage with Russia is to say, ‘Look, long-term, it is this battle against Islamist extremist violence that should actually unite us,’ ” Mr Cameron said, adding that teaming up with Assad was a “self-­defeating strategy.”

Mr Cameron said dealing with Russia required respect and understanding, but also basic rules: “You don’t invade other countries. You don’t redraw lines on the map outside the UN.”

The Wall Street Journal