(ANTIMEDIA) The 2016 U.S. election was likely one of the most closely watched events of all time, especially considering the race was between America’s own version of Adolph Hitler and its female incarnation of Dick Cheney. As such, it provided a unique opportunity for politicians in America and elsewhere to take all manner of actions that will undoubtedly slip through the cracks within the mainstream media.

For example, remember the war in Syria? The one that’s been raging since 2011? Well, while members of the American public were casting their votes and proceeding to follow the outcome of the election like it was the Super Bowl, Russia threatened to launch “large scale” cruise missiles and airstrikes in Aleppo, as reported by the Guardian.

The strikes, predicted to coincide completely with the U.S. election, were to be targeted at the outskirts of Aleppo, where rebel groups had been vying to break the regime’s siege of opposition-held districts.

Finding a verifiable source on the extent of Russia’s pummeling of Aleppo during the election has thus far proven almost impossible. Most interesting, however, is the fact the BBC reported that during the elections, the U.S.-led coalition killed 20 civilians in an aerial attack in Raqqa, ISIS’ de facto capital in Syria.

Syria’s state news agency, SANA, claims Israel has also been attacking Syrian army positions.

As the results of the election begin to settle, people would do well to remind themselves that the U.S. and its allies are conducting a very dangerous war in Syria as Russia reportedly does the same. As the Guardian report speculated, Russia likely hoped to be able to flex its muscles during the U.S. election so the current and future administration would take note that the conflict in Syria will not be resolved until Russia, a re-emerging power on the global stage, is dealt with.

Whether or not Trump will deliver on his promises of seeking a warmer relationship with Russia is yet to be seen. One would hope that whatever transpires, the people of Syria might be able to catch a much-needed break.

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