US seen as giving up on goal to overthrow Assad, seeks partnership with Moscow

If Moscow and Washington are able to overcome their difficulties and start close cooperation in Syria, there could be a kind of a Russian-American "arms brotherhood" in the fight against terrorism, German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported.

As for now, both parties are cooperating in Syria, but only in order to avoid dangerous incidents. However, if their cooperation plan is implemented in practice, it will become a kind of "reset" for both parties.

"The fact that President Barack Obama gradually gives up his original goal — the overthrow of Assad, and gives priority to the fight against Islamic State has become noticeable long ago. The planned new partnership with Moscow would consolidate this course," the article said.

According to the newspaper, Moscow has long sought such cooperation with Washington. US President Barack Obama, who has been criticized by the Russian media, is now being presented as Moscow's new partner, Sueddeutsche Zeitung noted.

"Finally, the Americans have shown understanding and speak with Russia on the same level. In early July, Vladimir Putin called the Western states 'partners in the broad anti-terrorist front' and said that Russia wants to 'work closely with the US on international issues,' the article recalled.

Earlier, correspondent from the German TV channel N24 Christoph Wanner said that the terrorist attack in Nice is likely to pull Russia and the West together in the fight against terrorism.

In an interview with German radio Deutschlandfunk, German politician and member of the Left Party Gregor Gysi for his turn called on the United States and Russia to ignore their difficulties and unite their efforts in the face of global terrorism. According to the politician, the international community should develop a common strategy against Daesh and make every effort to implement it.

On July 14-15, US Secretary of State Kerry visited Moscow with an offer of cooperation. The US diplomat and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov discussed the exchange of intelligence data on terrorist groups and a joint anti-terror operation in Syria.