Not likely.
Then there's this: On December 17, Obama allowed a Russian-backed resolution to pass the UNSC unanimously that that will help uncover secret financing for ISIS and "strengthen legal measures against those doing business with terrorist groups." According to RT:
"The resolution is the result of a joint effort by Russia and the US, which are both leading anti-IS campaigns in Syria...The key objective of the new resolution is the 'enforcement of a framework to reveal and disrupt illegal financing of IS and groups related to it by means of trade in oil, artifacts, and other illegal sources.'"
"The document, which is based on UN Charter Article VII and takes effect immediately, calls for members to 'move vigorously and decisively to cut the flow of funds' to IS." (UN Security Council unanimously adopts resolution targeting ISIS finances)
Is that what Obama really wants, to expose the revenue streams for these extremist organizations that are clearly getting support from Washington's main allies in the Gulf?
Probably not, but Kerry caved-in anyway hoping that his support would help him to nab the elusive ceasefire.
Finally, on December 18, Obama told Turkish President Erdogan that he wanted him to remove his troops and tanks from Iraq. Here's the story:
"US President Barack Obama has called on his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to withdraw his country's troops out of Iraq and respect its integrity. In a telephone call on Friday, Obama 'urged President Erdogan to take additional steps to deescalate tensions with Iraq, including by continuing to withdraw Turkish military forces.'
"He also 'reinforced the need for Turkey to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq,' the White House said.
"A 300-strong contingent of Turkish forces backed by 20 to 25 tanks was stationed on the outskirts of the city of Mosul, the capital of Iraq's Nineveh Province, on December 4." ("Obama to Erdogan: Withdraw Turkish troops from Iraq", Press TV)
(Turkey has since promised to remove more troops following Obama's call.)
In other words, the Turkish occupation began on December 4, but Obama never responded until two days after Kerry talked with Putin in Moscow. Another coincidence?
Maybe or maybe not. In any event the US had to do some serious horse-trading to persuade Putin to take Kerry's issue to the Security Council. (By the way, Obama knew beforehand that Turkey planned to invade Iraq, in fact, "an important Turkish official confirmed this claim by saying "all relevant countries" were informed about the deployment of the troops. See here for details.
Like we said earlier: Kerry gave away the farm to slam a deal that isn't going to have the slightest impact on the outcome of the war. And that's what's so tragic about all this diplomatic tap-dancing, is that it doesn't really change anything. Syria's future is going to be decided on the battlefield not at the United Nations and not at the bargaining table. Washington decided that long ago when it elected to use force of arms to try to achieve its geopolitical ambitions. Now an organized opposition has emerged that is openly challenging US-backed proxies leaving Washington with just two options, fight or retreat.
It had to come to this, didn't it? After all, if you push people hard enough, eventually they push back.
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