http://www.newrepublic.com/article/114655/obama-syria-policy-octopus-fighting-itself?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=flyout&utm_campaign=mostpopular Wrote:Meanwhile, back in Washington, the White House was just as surprised as anyone. Asked if this was a White House plan that Kerry had served up in London, Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken was unequivocal. "No, no, no," he said. "We literally just heard about this as you did some hours ago."

So that's good. At least everyone's on the same page.

While the Russians are already cutting deals and drumming up promises from the Syrians—with whom, as they've insisted for years, they have no leverage...


Last night, President Barack Obama, who, just over a week ago, had said he was ready to act, tells the nation's cable watchers that he's now discussing this bogus plan with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that he's "going to take this very seriously" while also not letting up on the drumbeat of military strikes while. On Tuesday, Syria said it had accepted Russia's proposal and France said it would seek the UN Security Council's backing for the proposal. This, in other words, is no light at the end of the tunnel.

This, to borrow a phrase from a Congressional staffer at his wits' end, "is an unmitigated cluster****."