Vladimir Putin has the home field advantage. As the host of the G-20 summit in St. Petersburg, he can control the images and the logistics of the meeting of the world's most important industrialized and emerging economies inside the Constantine Palace, also known as the "Russian Versailles." He can hardly wait to show it off, complete with its glistening hardwood floors, to Barack Obama. The G-20, Putin has said, will provide "a good platform" to discuss the problems in Syria.
The irony is that it is Putin himself who is so vehemently objecting to such diplomatic solutions.
The political frontlines have been established. On Wednesday night, the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee gave its approval for a limited military strike, though the House of Representatives hasn't yet voted on the issue. In St. Petersburg, Obama is expected to seek international support for his policy course. » | Marc Pitzke in New York | Thursday, September 05, 2013
