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Geneva II Is Just a Start for Syria

What are the conditions for the success of the Geneva II conference?
A man rides a bicycle with a child along a damaged street full of debris in Deir al-Zor May 19, 2013. Picture taken May 19, 2013. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi (SYRIA - Tags: CONFLICT SOCIETY) - RTXZTR4

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?

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