American influence on the Middle East is

past its peak – someone should tell them

"There is something deceptive about David Cameron implying that Russia and China are responsible for the slaughter of Syrian children."
Cameron may be deceptive about a lot of things*, but the liar here is Patrick Cockburn.
There might be some value in his analysis, but after reading the above I don't care.

*His speech at the UN was weaselly, saying the UN to blame, but especially some countries, was to claim he was a righteous man who would save the situation if only it wasn't for the Russians and Chinese, and has a slimy 'I say us, but I mean you' structure. But he isn't denying the murder of Syrian children.