In Syria, the tide seems to be turning in favour of Bashar Al Assad – if not on the ground with visible victories, at least on the diplomatic and political front. The active involvement of Russia in Syria is creating new facts. The discovery of Russian presence in Syria first created disappointment and anger in Washington and Arab capitals. US officials spoke to their Russian counterparts on the issue and their concern was expressed. And as days passed, it was found Russia has troops on the ground to help Assad and planes in the air. Gradually, the protests subsided. It seems that Putin’s support for Assad is now a reality that can’t be reversed – because nobody can reverse it.
The Russian and Iranian support has emboldened Assad. His position is now unassailable unless something unexpected and extraordinary happens. His opponents can shout at the top of their voice that no talks or peace are possible without Assad’s exit, but these shouts are becoming hollow. The new reality is also causing a shifting of stance in the anti-Assad camp. And the biggest example is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
A Syria without Assad has been a slogan for a number of Western governments and Erdogan, perhaps more than any major world leader, has been consistent and adamant about the need for Assad to step down before anything else is settled in Syria. On Wednesday, Erdogan made a one-day visit to Moscow to attend the unveiling of the new Cathedral Mosque in Moscow, described as one of the largest mosques in Europe. He also met with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, and announced the lofty goal of reaching $100bn in trade between their two countries by 2023. On his return from Moscow, when asked about a solution to Syria’s brutal civil war, he said: “The process could possibly be without Assad, or the transitional process could be with him.” He made this important statement after Eid Al Adha prayers in Istanbul. Clearly, economic and diplomatic interests have overtaken the need to throw out Assad.
Erdogan is not alone in acknowledging the need to dialogue with Assad. German Chancellor Angela Merkel made similar remarks this week when discussing the need for a resolution to a war that has sparked the current refugee crisis gripping Europe. Merkel said: “We have to speak with many actors. This includes Assad, but others as well,” Merkel said. Last week, Secretary of State John Kerry also indicated that while “Assad has to go,” the US would be flexible about the circumstances and timing of his future departure.
It’s unfortunate that the Syrian civil war is coming to this kind of an end. The blood of Syrians has spilled in vain, their lives sacrificed for nothing•
In Syria, the tide seems to be turning in favour of Bashar Al Assad – if not on the ground with visible victories, at least on the diplomatic and political front. The active involvement of Russia in Syria is creating new facts. The discovery of Russian presence in Syria first created disappointment and anger in Washington and Arab capitals. US officials spoke to their Russian counterparts on the issue and their concern was expressed. And as days passed, it was found Russia has troops on the ground to help Assad and planes in the air. Gradually, the protests subsided. It seems that Putin’s support for Assad is now a reality that can’t be reversed – because nobody can reverse it.
The Russian and Iranian support has emboldened Assad. His position is now unassailable unless something unexpected and extraordinary happens. His opponents can shout at the top of their voice that no talks or peace are possible without Assad’s exit, but these shouts are becoming hollow. The new reality is also causing a shifting of stance in the anti-Assad camp. And the biggest example is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
A Syria without Assad has been a slogan for a number of Western governments and Erdogan, perhaps more than any major world leader, has been consistent and adamant about the need for Assad to step down before anything else is settled in Syria. On Wednesday, Erdogan made a one-day visit to Moscow to attend the unveiling of the new Cathedral Mosque in Moscow, described as one of the largest mosques in Europe. He also met with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, and announced the lofty goal of reaching $100bn in trade between their two countries by 2023. On his return from Moscow, when asked about a solution to Syria’s brutal civil war, he said: “The process could possibly be without Assad, or the transitional process could be with him.” He made this important statement after Eid Al Adha prayers in Istanbul. Clearly, economic and diplomatic interests have overtaken the need to throw out Assad.
Erdogan is not alone in acknowledging the need to dialogue with Assad. German Chancellor Angela Merkel made similar remarks this week when discussing the need for a resolution to a war that has sparked the current refugee crisis gripping Europe. Merkel said: “We have to speak with many actors. This includes Assad, but others as well,” Merkel said. Last week, Secretary of State John Kerry also indicated that while “Assad has to go,” the US would be flexible about the circumstances and timing of his future departure.
It’s unfortunate that the Syrian civil war is coming to this kind of an end. The blood of Syrians has spilled in vain, their lives sacrificed for nothing•
