Putin Goes From G-20 Pariah to Player at Obama Turkey Talk
- Meeting on summit sideline first since Russia bombed Syria
- Russia seeks collaboration on Syrian war, fighting terrorism
The Political Implications of the Paris Attacks
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The sidelines of summits are full of talks between leaders, their ministers and aides, but the huddle between Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin at the Group of 20 in Turkey on Sunday was heavy with significance.
The meeting on Syria lasting more than 30 minutes was the first since the Russian president surprised his American counterpart in September by sending in his warplanes to prop up Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian leader the U.S. wants deposed. Since then, terrorism by Islamic State, also known as ISIS, ISIL or Da’esh, has taken over the global agenda and provided common purpose.