ce #6

Russia has announced that it will support a U.N. resolution advocating a response drafted by Kofi Annan to end the conflict in Syria.

Russia's announcement comes after it has supported the Assad regime in Syria, and, along with China, has resisted placing sanctions on the country. Civil strife has been going on in Syria ever since last spring. However, the rebels in this country are poorly organized and have been heavily suppressed by the Assad regime- over 8,000 deaths are estimated, though the numbers could well be higher.

The announcement illustrates Russia's important role in global politics, which is interesting considering the significant domestic problems Russia and the Putin regime face. Perhaps Putin is involving his country in international situations in an effort to distract from domestic pressures, which have been great in recent months surrounding parliamentary and presidential elections allegedly ridden with corruption.

Furthermore, Russia's support of a humanitarian cause such as the one in Syria is interesting due to Russia's shaky stance on civil liberties. Many Russians have been jailed as a result of political dissent, and ethnic conflicts (ie Chechnya) have been handled with the use of excessive violence and force on the part of the Russian regime.

{via Time}