Russia Drafts New Resolution for Syria

Russia has taken it upon itself to draft a new resolution for the U.N. Security Council with regard to its Middle Eastern ally Syria. Basically, Russia proposes to extend the U.N.’s current mission in the war-torn country for an additional three months, but does not include threatening President Bashar al-Assad and his violent regime with any sanctions. On Wednesday envoy Kofi Annan will brief the Security Council on the new resolution proposal, on which it must vote before the current mandate expires July 20. The Security Council is pretty divided, and Russia’s suggestions are likely to disappoint American and European members who are insistent upon using sanctions.