Putin Complains About U.S. Cooperation on Syria

President Vladimir Putin of Russia criticized the United States and others Tuesday for what he said was their lack of cooperation with the Russian military campaign in Syria , suggesting that they had "mush for brains." Mr. Putin was responding to widespread accusations in the West that Russian warplanes were targeting practically every group opposed to the Syrian government except the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. "If we want to be effective, if we want to not simply shoot and make missile strikes and reach a political settlement, then we need to motivate the forces inside the country - and this conflict is complex and multifaceted - for joint work between various forces on Syria's territory," Mr. Putin said. His remarks came hours after two mortar shells hit the grounds of the Russian Embassy in Damascus during a rally outside the walls by Syrians supportive of the Russian intervention.