Syrians can be reconciled – through negotiation, not violence
The situation in Syria is the gravest it has been since peaceful protests began in March 2011. Civil resistance has been reduced to relief operations and humanitarian assistance, and the efforts of Syria's democratic forces are now scattered and fragmented. Foreign support for the Syrian National Coalition and superimpose it as the legitimate representative of the people has weakened democratic civilian organisations' relationships with a number of western countries. Meanwhile, the military capacity of jihadi groups has increased.
The SNC is fragile, and more likely to implode than become institutionalised. This is highlighted by three issues: the political initiative of its then president, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, in proposing talks with the regime; the decision in Istanbul to form a Syrian government in exile; and the fact that Syria's seat in the Arab League was handed over to the SNC at the recent meeting in Doha.… Seguir leyendo »