11-19-2015, 11:45 AM
The Russian prime minister told the G20 that the best way to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is to unite with the West, and Russia is already coordinating airstrikes with France.
While President Obama seems to agree, he said there is a catch: Russia must first help end the Syrian war.
Just days after Russia launched its first significant strikes against the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, President Obama extended an offer.
"If we get a better understanding with Russia about the process for bringing an end to the Syrian civil war, that obviously opens up more opportunities for coordination with respect to ISIL," Mr. Obama said, using another acronym for ISIS.
The strikes were a major shift. Russia spent weeks bombing Syrian rebels - some backed by the U.S. - fighting to unseat President Bashar al-Assad.
"It may be that now having seen ISIL take down one of their airliners in a horrific accident that reorientation continues," said the president.
Now, Mr. Obama is relying on Vladimir Putin to help broker a ceasefire in Syria, which would eliminate an ISIS safe haven.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-will-w...war-first/