In the lead-up to the Syria talks in Geneva, attendees should prepare for the US president to shift focus from the political process to the issue of establishing safe zones, Ali Dahi writes in loyalist Al-Watan
Russian FM rallies for Syria’s return to the 21-member body claiming the suspension of its membership has hindered efforts at securing peace in the country, Syrian state media reports
Saudi-owned Al-Hayat details the recommendations inside the separate Kurdish and Russian draft constitutions, which call for greater autonomy for Kurds and a more decentralized government, while also acknowledging the multi-ethnic make-up of Syria’s demography
Loyalist newspaper Al-Watan explains Syrian political opposition figures invited to Russia’s capital Moscow for meetings after news emerged of Russian plans to impose a new constitution on the rebel delegation at Astana
Rebel representative denies opposition delegates agreed to consider Russia’s draft constitution, saying that three issues will determine whether the opposition will continue its participation in political process — these include consolidating the ceasefire, bringing in humanitarian aid and releasing prisoners, Alsouria Net writes
Ain al-Medina explains the reason Moscow sent non-Russian special forces to a foreign country as part of a special mission for the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union
Opposition spokesman announced the rebel delegation to Astana refused to address Moscow’s calls to review a new draft constitution, Zaman al-Wasl reports
The draft constitution has been prepared by Russian experts in order to speed up the political process
Russian senator overseeing committee on foreign affairs voices confidence in truce process as ceasefire gains popularity among armed opposition groups, Syrian government newspaper SANA reports
According to Coalition media reports, deputy opposition president believes FSA and other rebel groups will form a joint council to monitor the ceasefire following negotiations with the regime in the Kazakh capital
Alsouria Net speaks to insider at recent meetings between Turkish representatives and the Syrian armed opposition, in which most major rebel groups — except Ahrar al-Sham — agreed to attend the negotiations with the Assad regime in Astana next week
Government-run newspaper SANA says Russia accepts the attendance of the UN Syria envoy at Monday’s negotiations in Kazakhstan
Writing for All4Syria, Walid Bunni urges opposition factions attending the upcoming talks in Astana to resist foreign pressure for short-term gains
Deputy head of the Syrian Interim Government expresses hope that a Trump presidency will contribute to Turkey’s efforts to ensure a successful ceasefire in Syria
What Moscow is trying to achieve with the political settlement depends to a large extent on the Turkish and Iranian positions, and on the possibility of reaching clear agreements between these actors amid independent efforts to direct their battles in ways which achieve only their interests
Russia is not serious in its wish to impose a ceasefire, Walid al-Bunni argues
Lebanese militia stopped Russian engineers from entering the area outside the capital after negotiators reached an agreement with locals, sources claim
Russia’s acknowledgment of the armed opposition is one of the requirements of profiting politically from the victory in Aleppo. This means that transforming the military victory into a political settlement requires recognizing the enemy before sitting with him and agreeing to a solution to the conflict.
Is it really possible for Russia, Turkey and Iran to achieve a lasting solution which enables Syrians to choose their political system in a secular and democratic state, as stated by the three countries following meetings in Moscow?
Unannounced negotiations are being held between American and Russian representatives to draft constitutional and political principles for a solution built on the principle of “political quotas” close to “the moderate Lebanese model”
