Geneva II Is Just a Start for Syria
What are the conditions for the success of the Geneva II conference?
The great optimism that came the day after the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State John Kerry on the fast track to the Geneva II conference has settled down.
If the dual commitment to launch Geneva II is still there as the solemn — yet very difficult — way to end the conflict in Syria, what is still needed to overcome the basic obstacles for a serious and credible takeoff?
First, the issue of incuding Iran as the only key and influential country whose participation is controversial. Should this be viewed as part of the problem as the United States and its allies consider it, and thus be left out with its strong nuisance capacity? Or should it be brought into the process as being part of the solution, as Russia and its friends insist?
Should the Syrian matter be a facilitator for an Iranian-Western cooperation that could help settle yet another Iranian issue pertaining its nuclear policy and its regional role? Or should the logic of confrontation over Syria prevail over everything else?
