A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Friday, January 31, 2014

Geneva 2 Ends

The Geneva talks on Syria have ended with mutual accusations and recriminations, though some limited ceasefire agreements have allowed some aid to get through; and there's another round due February 10, but it's not clear if the regime will attend.

Meanwhile I'm still wrestling with a bug and not very creative. I'll blog when I have something.

1 comment:

David Mack said...

This round of Geneva 2 was a setback for the regime. Walid Moallem, who is usually very adept, set the tone for his delegation by a tirade in which he undercut the Russians and showed lack of strategy. Probably reflects Bashar's own lack of strategy and growing isolation from reality of his country (cf Muammar al-Qadhafi). Syrian rebels showed surprising calmness and determination. For first time, they begin to convey an alternative to the status quo, and resumption of U.S. aid to carefully vetted rebel units builds on this public image of confidence that there will be some kind of transitional regime. Watch for regime elements to look for ways to be part of the transition, which means distancing themselves from Bashar.