Syria Deeply: Geneva II Gives Hope to Syrians in an Unbearable Status Quo

1/20/14, 10:32 PM

Raging Fight Against Al Qaeda, As Diplomats Prepare for Peace Talks

Dear Deeply Readers, When Syrian peace talks known as Geneva II begin in Switzerland on Wednesday, theyll revive a process thats been on hold since June 2012. Thats when Geneva I set out the framework for a political transition in Syria, ending President Bashar al Assads rule (you can read their final statement here). Since then, weve seen Syria sink into allout civil war. It took eighteen months for world powers to get back to the table, bringing along the regime and at least some of its opposition, to discuss how a transition could happen. Its the first step in a long process Russia says it process will unfold in several rounds that may never achieve the stated objective of peaceful political change in Syria. The regime has shown little interest in negotiating its own end. The opposition sitting across from Assad has long been weak and fractured, and just barely agreed on Saturday to attend the talks at all. What they negotiate wont hardly easy to implement; Syrias powerful Islamist fighters, who shape conditions on the ground, have rejected the peace talks and their outcomes in advance. Syrian civilians, whove borne the greatest cost of the war, dont feel represented at the table (least of all, Syrias women, whove demanded a voice and released a joint statement ahead of the meeting). And yet, Syrians are still glad to see Geneva go forward. They yearn for a process, even a flawed one, to inch the country forward. They tell us theres a quiet, but palpable dividend on the ground that with Geneva II in place, it empowers the grassroots peace initiatives that have begun sprouting around the country. Moreover, Geneva appears to be nudging the regime forward on issues like prisoner release and access to food in rebel areas two key sticking points for its opponents on the ground. Above all, Syrians see hope in Geneva II peace talks because theres no hope anywhere else. The status quo is simply unbearable. Children are starving to death, while an estimated four million Syrians live under siege. Syrian violence and its effects continue to spill over into Lebanon, Turkey, and Iraq. Al Qaida is regaining ground after being beaten
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Syria Deeply: Geneva II Gives Hope to Syrians in an Unbearable Status Quo

1/20/14, 10:32 PM

back by rival rebel groups practically all of them Islamist conservatives. In areas under Al Qaidas control, civilians report cases of torture and more banal forms of day-to-day brutality. Al Qaida is tearing at whats left in the fabric of Syrian life. Half of Syrias population is in urgent need of aid, while donor countries and private citizens show signs of fatigue a fading will to give. This weeks donor conference in Kuwait fell $4 billion short of what the UN says it needs for Syrian aid (and thats assuming that the pledges made will come through, which they often dont). Even if Geneva II brings no quick breakthroughs, it may still be a success through Syrian eyes. Thats because Syrian expectations of the world are dismally low. Having any process in place would be better than an unfettered slide, deeper into the warring abyss. Highlights from Syria Deeply: How Will the Kuwait Donor Conference Help on the Ground? Syria Deeply Asks: Whats the Best That Geneva Can Deliver? In Turkey, Syrian Students Turned Laborers, or Jobless How is al-Qaida Changing the Fabric of Syrian Life? Syria ER: Blasts Lead to Horrible Multiple Injuries Syrias Socially Mediated Civil War Playing an Oud, a Bard of the Revolution Headlines from the Week: The Telegraph: Syrias Civil War Being Fought by Fighters High on Drugs Carnegie Endowment: The Politics of the Islamic Front NY Times: Syrian Rebels Say Cease-Fire Deal Proves Deceptive Reuters: Russia Steps Up Military Lifeline to Syrias Assad NPR: Battlefield in Northern Syria Evolves as Rebels Fight Rebels TIME: How Aid Has Become a Weapon of War Guardian: Syrian Refugees No Longer Know Who is Fighting Let Alone Who is Winning Were fielding your feedback on how to better serve you and cover the story. You can reach our team on email at info@syriadeeply.org. Sincerely, The News Deeply Team

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Syria Deeply: Geneva II Gives Hope to Syrians in an Unbearable Status Quo

1/20/14, 10:32 PM

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