US-Russia Diplomacy on Syria Makes Comeback
The US, Russia — and Iran — resurrect diplomacy on Syria; Iran and Israel should consider talking about Syria; Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Iran key to US-Russia diplomacy on Syria
The prospects for a political solution in Syria showed a pulse this week, with a flurry of meetings by US, Russian, Iranian and regional diplomats that could lead to long overdue direct negotiations between Syria and the opposition.
This is a welcome reprieve, as diplomacy seemed to have taken a holiday the past few weeks with attention focused on the unresolved question of whether Syria used chemical weapons and therefore crossed a US “red line,” which would be a “game changer,” and the focus in Washington on what “more” the United States can do to provide armed support for the rebels, enforce a no-fly zone or other military options.
As this column has pointed out, chemical weapons' use will only be proven by UN inspections (which the Syrian government should allow immediately), and limited military options such as those being discussed will only serve to accelerate the partition and collapse of Syria, prolong the fighting and killing, and increase refugee flows to Syria’s neighbors.
