Despite the fact that "Russia is not in Syria to fight the Islamic State" but to support Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Obama welcomed the operation which is totally unacceptable, Krauthammer wrote.
He added that in addition to combat jets Russia allegedly deployed to Syria air-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft batteries. However, these cannot be used against ISIL as they have no air force, no planes or helicopters. What is more, the first bombing attacks were conducted on Homs and other opposition strongholds.
According to the journalist, all of the above proves that Russia targeted opposition forces which are trying to oust Assad.
"Indeed, some of these bombed fighters were US trained and equipped. Asked if we didn’t have an obligation to support our own allies on the ground, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter bumbled that Russia’s actions exposed its policy as self-contradictory," the article read.
"Carter made it sound as if the Russian offense was to have perpetrated an oxymoron, rather than a provocation — and a direct challenge to what’s left of the US policy of supporting a moderate opposition," it added.
Just three weeks ago Obama warned that the Russian military buildup in Syria was "doomed to failure" but on Monday he was publicly welcoming Russia to join the fight against ISIL. That proves that Obama not only acquiesced to the Russian engagement in Syria but also marked the shameful collapse of his own policy to isolate Russia diplomatically, according to the author.
When Obama became president the US was successful in Iraq and Washington emerged as a leading regional actor. However, last Sunday Iraq announced the creation of joint coordination center together with Iran, Syria and Russia to counter ISIL.
According to Krauthammer, this symbolized "the new 'Shiite-crescent' alliance stretching from Iran across the northern Middle East to the Mediterranean, under the umbrella of Russia, the rising regional hegemon."
