It is abundantly clear to any objective observer that things cannot continue like this for long in Syria as the Syrian people have reached a stage of unprecedented sorrow in their history and no force alone has enough power to find and impose a solution, not even the United States of America.
The only possible solution, in my opinion, is a great American-European-Turkish momentum for a new body with the potential to become a pioneer in the Syrian arena, politically, militarily, and economically. Once established, this body could propose a roadmap for holding local elections in several places. As this solution moves through the regions of Syria it would have a calming effect on the people, helping them to feel – and this is the most important thing – that their lives matter and have begun to improve.
“the Arab countries, because of their response to Iranian pressure to reopen relations with the Assad regime, are fully aware that they have now moved away from a position that allowed them to exert influence on several parties”
Firas Tlass
I had hoped to add Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and some other Arab countries to the list of countries capable of influencing the Syrian solution as there are many Syrians on all sides who prefer to be part of an Arab solution, and Egypt and Saudi Arabia could have influenced them positively before they chose to side with Assad.
Unfortunately, the Arab countries chose to believe that they were capable of convincing Bashar Assad to carry out some reforms, hoping to change him in order to promote him internationally. In reality, the Arab countries, because of their response to Iranian pressure to reopen relations with the Assad regime, are fully aware that they have now moved away from a position that allowed them to exert influence on several parties to align themselves instead with a party upon which they have no ability to exert any influence at all.
“a possible albeit difficult solution could be found in a gradual American-European-Turkish proposal but it would need Syrian partners from all sides”
Firas Tlass
Even if Saudi Arabia and Egypt want to have a say in the Syrian solution, they have given their mandate to Bashar Assad to talk about his vision for a solution and soon he will tell them that he is not ready for any solution, or will deliver this message to them through his silence after which they will remain silent as well.
Therefore, a possible albeit difficult solution could be found in a gradual American-European-Turkish proposal but it would need Syrian partners from all sides. Yes, it would require the cooperation of all parties, Kurds and Arabs, and even those who are part of the regime.
