How the U.S., Russia Could Solve Syria

The Iran deal has produced a level of mutual congratulations in the US-Russia relationship that, however mild, has not existed for some time. According to the White House, President Barack Obama “thanked President [Vladimir] Putin for Russia’s important role in achieving this milestone” during a July 15 telephone conversation. Two days later, the Kremlin announced that Putin and members of Russia’s Security Council — including Russia’s top military, intelligence and security officials, who are generally not Washington’s best friends in Moscow — “noted again that the leading role and constructive position taken by the United States played a big part in making it possible to finalize the agreements” during a meeting chaired by Putin. This ritualistic exchange of praise was quite different in tone from many other recent statements from the two governments.