Washington Post: Fears of a U.S.-Russia conflict recede as Trump, Moscow and Macron dial back the rhetoric
BEIRUT — Fears that a major war could be imminent eased across the Middle East on Thursday after a flurry of tweets and statements by world leaders that suggested they are looking for ways to de-escalate the tensions of recent days.
U.S.-led military strikes in retaliation for the Syrian government’s alleged use of chemical weapons against a Damascus suburb last weekend remained a distinct possibility, but there were indications that efforts to head off a confrontation between global powers were gathering momentum.
In Moscow, the Kremlin sought to tamp down fears of a conflict with the United States by signaling for the first time in days that it might not carry out threats to retaliate against a U.S. strike.
“We still believe that it is very necessary to avoid any steps which can trigger an escalation in tensions in Syria,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “We believe that this could have a very destructive impact on the entire Syrian settlement.”
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WNU Editor: French President Macron has definitely dialed back his rhetoric .... Is Macron backing out of Syria air strikes? French President asks Putin to 'intensify' talks in phone call with Russian leader (Daily Mail/AFP). From my vantage point .... the momentum for a military strike is definitely receding. If this continues for the next few days .... there will be no military strike. Maybe the Russian ambassador to the U.N. is going to get his wish .... Russia counting on sober thinking among American politicians, military brass, says envoy (TASS).
