UNITED NATIONS — The United States and Russia abandoned diplomatic niceties Wednesday in a fractious public debate over Syria, blaming each other for spoiling the country’s cease-fire and offering only temporary patches to stem the bloodshed. “Everybody sits there and says we want a united Syria, secular, respecting the rights of all people, in which the people of Syria can choose their leadership. Russia has denied U.S. claims that it was responsible, but Kerry focused on its shifting explanation of what might have happened. It was unclear if Russia and Syria would agree. His peace envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, described his long-delayed plans for a multi-step Syrian peace process and transition that appeared, even by his own admission, untethered to reality on the ground.

Source: Washington Post September 21, 2016 15:06 UTC