Opinion: After the Ceasefire, Joy Did Not Come
Walid al-Bunni for the Syrian Observer
January 9, 2017
Russia is not serious in its wish to impose a ceasefire, Walid al-Bunni argues
Russia is not serious in its wish to impose a ceasefire, Walid al-Bunni argues
Displaced Aleppans in Lattakia and Tartous are eager to return to their embattled city to prevent demographic change after the regime and Russia declared victory against rebel fighters there
Lebanese militia stopped Russian engineers from entering the area outside the capital after negotiators reached an agreement with locals, sources claim
The past 12 months has seen the killing of over 50 journalists by different parties to the conflict, but the activity of prominent institutions provides a glimmer of hope for journalism’s future in conflict-ridden Syria
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?
Foreign minister praises the success of the Syrian-Iranian-Russian partnership during meetings with top officials in Tehran ahead of the upcoming Astana dialogue this month
The government forces and their allies including Lebanese Hezbollah have been trying to press advances, particularly in an area northwest of Damascus in the rebel-held Wadi Barada valley
Research shows a wave of purchases by Iranian traders involving a large amount of Syrian real estate in a number of cities including Damascus and Homs
Russian publication mocks Syrian president after failing to comply with orders from 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”
The unpredictability of Russia’s Syria policy troubles both its allies and enemies who worry the Kremlin may be selling empty promises ahead of upcoming peace talks in Geneva
The gamble made by Damascus and its allies is that the US will be in a hurry to make any achievement in the Syrian crisis, and will accept the idea of Assad’s nomination in the coming elections due to domestic reasons related to their own upcoming election season
Tripartite meeting held in the Russian capital to discuss respecting Syria’s independence and territorial integrity in preparation for February negotiations in Geneva
In the wake of Aleppo’s fall and the upcoming peace talks in Geneva, Moscow moves to obtain the upper hand on Tehran and Hezbollah in securing its interests in Syria
Syrian Foreign Ministry source says attack is further proof of the need to combat terrorism at any cost
Tensions rise between the two key powers as Russia issues firm statement warning any side of retaliation if warring parties attempt to obstruct the evacuation of locals
Critics of “Sheikh” Omar Rahmoun say the former Homs-based revolutionary sold out his compatriots in east Aleppo after overseeing a ceasefire agreement between opposition fighters and the regime
With Aleppo characterized by its vibrant textile industry, which contributed about a third of Syria’s total industrial production, what will the devastation of the “economic capital” mean for the country’s economy in the long-term?
Assad forces are trying to divide and isolate the remaining rebel-held areas through repeated daily incursions and heavy bombardment, the worst the city has so far been subjected to
