The arguments between the west and Russia over what to do in Syria resemble the old proverb of the two bald men arguing over a comb. In truth, neither side knows what to do. Both, however, respond to their lack of a plan in their traditional fashion: Russia, with stonewalling; the west, with empty rhetoric.

The west is right to believe that the Baath regime in Syria cannot continue in power without endless savagery, and that an agreed departure of the Assad dynasty is greatly to be desired. Russia is right to fear that its fall may lead to an even worse regime and a nightmare for Syria’s minorities.

However unpalatable this may be to Washington, the Kremlin is also correct in arguing that if there is to be any chance of an international deal over Syria working, then Iran has to be part of it. This is because of Tehran’s close ties with the Syrian regime and because Iran has a legitimate stake in the future of the quasi-Shia Alawite minority. Moreover, as has happened all too often in the past, the US and Israeli obsession with Iran has led Washington to turn a blind eye to the dangers posed by Saudi policy, despite the way in which Saudi support has helped lay the basis for Islamist extremism in Pakistan and elsewhere.