One point of an op-ed article is to represent the op-ed writer's point of view, but even allowing for that, the Times op-ed by Vladimir Putin contending, "We must stop using the language of force and return to the path of civilized diplomatic and political settlement," is a bit much. Was that the Russian approach in Chechnya? Afghanistan? Prague? Is that the approach Russia took when it armed Syria? The same can be said for Mr. Putin's newfound insistence that all use of force be ratified by the U.N. Security Council. I realize that modern Russia is not the same as the old Soviet Union, but Mr. Putin himself seems to view his country as the Soviet successor, writing, "We stood against each other during the cold war. But we were also allies once, and defeated the Nazis together."
Maybe Bashar Assad will follow in Mr. Putin's footsteps and write an op-ed for the weekend paper.