"In some ways, the Annan plan needs to fail..."

"... In some ways, the Annan plan needs to fail — which appears most likely — to persuade Russia and China not to wield their veto on Syria resolutions as they have twice previously, diplomats and analysts said. China is basically considered to be following Russia’s lead. “They have been pushing and pushing and pushing for Annan and for mild action at the council, and it didn’t work,” said a United Nations Security Council diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity under his ministry’s guidelines...."