Peter Lavelle: The inmates running the asylum

Official Washington has found itself in real and dangerous quandary – it is plainly incapable of making any sense. The very ideas of honesty and integrity are alien. Like people ailing from a serious addiction, lying comes easier than telling the truth. As such, relying on propaganda and spin has become standard operating procedure. The more they deceive and resort to bombast, they more ridiculous and maniacal they appear.

Secretary of State John Kerry has seen his ceasefire plan for Syria negotiated with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov literally go up in smoke. Of course Russia is blamed for this. But there is no getting around the fact American jets bombed and killed scores of Syrian troops (to the great advantage of ISIL). Most likely it was Ash Carter’s Pentagon that was behind this (intentional) violation of the ceasefire. Kerry raised his fists in anger – like an asylum inmate – against the Russians, but his fury probably should have been directed toward his fellow secretary at the Defense Department.

Part of the ceasefire agreement had Russia convince Syria not to deploy its air force over parts of the country – a huge concession on the part of Damascus. With the quick end of the ceasefire, Kerry has now gone on to demanding a free-fly zone over almost all of Syria, except for American and allied aircraft that is. The only logical conclusion to draw from this demand is simple: Washington will take it upon itself to fly air cover for mythical “moderates” and clearly identifiable terrorist groups while attacking the legal government of Syria.

He defended this idea with the words:

“Now, I have said to Russia many times it’s very hard to separate people when they are being bombed indiscriminately and when Assad has the right to determine who he’s going to bomb, because he can, quote, ‘go after Nusrah’ but go after the opposition at the same time because he wants to.”

Kerry said this with a straight face and the pliant corporate merely concurred. One would be correct to say John Kerry is the “Extraordinary and International Envoy Representing Syrian terrorists.” Of course Russia rejected this truly arrogant and idiotic demand.

Then there is America’s Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power. She occupies a special place in the asylum – it is called the psychotic ward. Recently she claimed it was Russia’s fault American planes attacked Syrian troops while the ceasefire was in effect. She refused to accept any American responsibility for the loss of life in what could be defined as a war crime. Power is quoted as saying,

 “Even by Russia’s standards, tonight’s stunt – a stunt replete with moralism and grandstanding – is uniquely cynical and hypocritical.”

I have the impression she was looking into a mirror when she spoke this. Power is in denial that Washington and its regional allies have fueled and prolonged the proxy war in Syria. Power’s favorite word is “outrageous.” What is outrageous is her lack of diplomatic knowledge and tact. Her point of reference is not international law, but rather advocating the use of force in the name of humanitarian interventions. One has to wonder if she really wrote her book on “right to protect.”

Of course U.S. President has his own special ward in the asylum – fitted out with a teleprompter and a golf course. In his recent and last address to the United Nations General Assembly Obama had this to say about Syria:

“In a place like Syria, where there’s no ultimate military victory to be won, we’re going to have to pursue the hard work of diplomacy that aims to stop the violence, and deliver aid to those in need, and support those who pursue a political settlement and can see those who are not like themselves as worthy of dignity and respect.”

Washington’s involvement in Syria has been nothing less than a catastrophe, particularly for the Syrian people. There is not real indication Obama has ever been in interested in ending the Syria conflict – his administration has only fueled it with arms, money, and political cover for known and identifiable terrorist groups and the countries that back them.

Obama speaks of people who are worthy of dignity and respect – well he and his follow inmates are hardly worthy.

Peter Lavelle is host of RT’s political debate program CrossTalk. His views may or may not reflect those of his employer.