To limit Iran's influence in Syria, US should lift sanctions on Syria, Putin tells Bennett
Friday, October 29, 2021Reporting by Axios suggested that Russia's Putin sought Israel's help in easing U.S. sanctions on Syria. Here is our summary of the hypothetical exchange presumed to have happened between the two:
- Bennett: I want Iran to have less influence in Syria.
- Putin: who do you think should help Syria recover from the 10 year war so that it would not seek help from Iran for it?
- Bennett: Russia and Russian companies. You are already there.
- Putin: Russian government is there. But Russian companies are afraid to go there because of US sanctions.
- Bennett: Why aren't Iranian government and Iranian companies afraid to do business in Syria?
- Putin: Because they are already under US sanctions. What are they going to be afraid of? Maximum-maximum pressure?
- Bennett: Oh, S&^%! That sucks! What can be done then?
- Putin: Ask your friends in the US to lift the sanctions on Syria so that Russian, and possibly Western companies, can take away business from the Iranians, which will diminish their influence, which you are seeking.
- Bennett: I guess we will have to. We will also call on our Gulf allies, especially those who signed on the Abraham Accord, to go back to doing business in Syria then.