The United States Secretary of State John Kerry has said that he feels that he is living in a “parallel universe” to his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. However, imagine what the desperate residents of Aleppo must feel when they manage to hear their radios over the sound of bombs and gunfire. They hear two senior ministers from two of the world’s great powers, sitting in some comfort in their offices or in large conference halls, arguing about the fate of Syria from a great distance.
The real “parallel universe” is the gaping split between the international forces spinning their ideas against what is happening on the ground in Syria. This massive disconnect is a major part of why the ceasefire was so ineffectual and why hardly any aid actually made it through to the people who needed it.
It is unfortunate but the reality is that international powers do have a role in Syria. Iran has been backing President Bashar Al Assad from the start, as Russia does today. But the situation is so complex that it is foolish to have Russians or Americans mapping out a plan without the active inclusion of the Syrians themselves.
A ceasefire in Syria is important. If the killing pauses, or even better — stops, then the Syrians will have a chance to reach out and find a peaceful way forward for their country, if they want it.
But the sad fact is that the ever-changing kaleidoscope of Syrian militias and armed groups does not see much advantage in surrendering or stopping the fighting.
Those in the opposition fear the bloody retribution that they expect from Al Assad’s forces if ever they regain some control, which they look certain to do in any interim arrangement that would most likely include the regime. And the regime has come back from near-extinction a few years ago and only sees an upside to more fighting, now that it is backed by its new Russian and more established Iranian allies.
Neither side is paying much attention to Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), which the rest of the world sees as an overwhelming global threat. Clearly, it would be better for Russia and the US to be talking in good faith.
Both Moscow and Washington should be working to reduce the fighting or even to stop it completely. However, their allies and clients in Syria may see it differently.
