Putin suggests U.S. backing al Qaeda in Syria civil war

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the media center for the APEC summit in Vladivostok, Russia, Sept. 6, 2012.

/ AP/RIA-Novosti

(CBS News) LONDON - Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted that "some people want to use militants from al Qaeda... to accomplish their goals in Syria."

In a loosely veiled dig at the U.S. support for Syria's opposition, Putin argued, "in that case, one should unlock Guantanamo, arm all of its inmates and bring them to Syria to do the fighting."

Putin was playing directly to his home crowd in the interview aired Thursday on Russian television.

Old-school Russians love it when their president talks tough - especially to their old Cold War enemy. To them, Putin's "some people" was a clear reference to Washington, and his reference to Guantanamo and - by extension - the costly invasion of Iraq, was a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Russia's President didn't say it in so many words, but he implied that America, the West, and their allies in the Middle East are backing violent Islamic extremists in Syria to bring down Bashar Assad in a policy blunder that's bound to fail.

There is a grain of truth here.

Some al Qaeda fighters, or at least some militants claiming to be al Qaeda, have joined the armed Syrian rebel groups on the ground, and at least some of those men would be eager to establish a fundamentalist Islamic state in Syria after Assad.

Is al Qaeda fighting in Syria?
U.S.: Al Qaeda in Iraq fighting in Syria
Assad's support from elite in key city erodes

But the Islamists are just one fragment of a broad and complex opposition movement that includes secularists, young democrats, Christians, tribal leaders, students - a sample of the entire Syrian society. The majority just want a prosperous, open, modern Syria - and one, most importantly, not run by a dictator and his corrupt family.

This larger opposition is the one backed - so far very cautiously - by the U.S. government.

Russia, on the other hand, has bet against Syria's citizens and chosen to back the dictator.

But dictators are a delicate subject for Mr. Putin.

He was called one himself by vast crowds of Russian protestors who, this winter, accused him of rigging elections (video) to hang onto power.

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Russian election protests

In response to the anti-Putin movement gathering steam, he cracked down on dissident voices and views inside Russia.

So you might think in an interview meant to impress at home, Putin would have steered away from the topic.

Instead he plunged right in, talking about Arab leaders who were deposed in the series of citizens' uprisings last year.

They, "obviously overlooked the need for change and missed the ongoing trends," he said. "So they failed to produce the reforms which would have saved the day."

Perfectly valid analysis of political shifts in the Middle East. But also, perhaps, a timely warning - for himself.

[audemus]

This guy's drank too much 'wodka'. He should stick to his death-defying, over-compensating for "short-comings," macho horse crap...and leave the thinking stuff alone. Russia, and their "buds" China, should examine their conscience instead of their greed and tell the world why they vetoed action at the UN which probably would have saved thousands of lives. They have blood on their hands.

While you're at it Vlad....let those "dangerous" rock & rollers out of prison you creep.

[jonnyooh]

Foxbot morons in America are worse than al Qaeda. They support America's enemies, the Republicans.

[rotties4]

You know it is true. The news is always true from other countries why do you think America gets there news from there and not here. It has been said allready that this administration is equipping muslim brotherhood and al Qaeda with weapons. What did Obama say last night about Russia and Al Qaeda he lied has always. Do your research ninny.

[Swift29]

In case anyone else reads this in the future:
Rotties here is a complete moron. America arming al Qaeda - yea, that's true. And I gotta bridge to sell you. This, from the army of ninnies....

[KMskizzy]

The CIA is AlCIAda

[melbatom]

PUTIN is correct. That is what I have said for a long time. POINT: it also proves that our current adminstration has supported Al-QUEADA in many other places and now Israel is surround EXCEPT for SYRIA. Putin is opposed to al-Queada in all ways and his opposition and support of Assad makes that as clear as a sign board being posted. Remember that this DNC in session now actually voted down the name of God and Israel to be included in their platform but was not acknowledged by their Chairman.

[Swift29]

Melba, or milktoast: Putin is playing to his audience. You're a mental midget. If you think any U.S. admin is/was or will support our sworn enemy you're on acid bud. Nobody even understands your comment about 'surrounds except for Syria'. Syria and Israel have gone at it. You won't know proof if dog poop was dropped on your shoes. You don't know jack about why Putin supports Assad. Look up Chechnya. And take your tired regurgitated pap about the DNC platform reboot and stick it.
Tired of you simpletons who have to inject political crap into everything. Troll.

[john92021]

looks like he found Bush's old playbook.

[otgdavies]

Its also worth noting that Wikileaks is reporting that the US has used the artist formerly known as Blackwater, private mercenaries with a terrible human rights record, to support the opposition in Syria and Libya. In the meantime, Saudi Arabia has sent in troops to quell protests in Bahrain and Yemen in support of US military interests.

[Swift29]

otg *** is your comment? 'The artist formerly known as' runs
together with 'Blackwater, private mercenaries'. What artist?
The Saudi's sent in troops to buff up their ally Bahrain against
political unrest, in part stirred up by Iranian provocateurs, not
due to support of U.S. interests. Yemen is an entirely different ball of wax.

[EmpireGeorge______--]

No kidding, well Al Qaeda was behind the Obama backed rebels in Libya, after Quadaffi was overthrown, the terrorist organization siezed much of the Libyan army's shoulder fired anti-air missles.....thanks, Obama.....keep supporting rebels, ooops, I mean Al Qaeda....we can include Hezbolah in there as well.

This has been confirmed by the NATO top commander.

[EmpireGeorge______--]

What did you think, I was some stupid liberal, making up a bunch of nonsense......read up, if you dare, then apologize to me.

US NATO Commander Admits Al-Qaeda Linked To Libyan Rebels
http://www.infowars.com/us-nato-commander-admits-al-qaeda-linked-to-libyan-rebels/

Al Qaeda Terror Group: We 'Benefit From' Libyan Weapons
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/al-qaeda-terror-group-benefit-libya-weapons/story?id=14923795