in the violent overthrow of Qadhafi. "There is a need," he insisted, "to investigate the civilian casualties caused by NATO airstrikes." Professor Naumkin explained: "Russia feels that it was cheated by its international partners. The no-fly zone mandate in Libya was transformed into direct military i

en a chance. The majority of the Syrian population did not want Bashar al-Asad to stand down. External armed forces should not intervene. Although Naumkin did not say so, there were rumours at the conference that Russia had advised Asad on the drafting of the new Syrian Constitution, which strips the