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A two-week reprieve, a vantage point.
Syria entered a truce Friday set to last a whole two weeks, allowing for a much needed humanitarian reprieve. The question on everyone's lips: will it hold, and more importantly -
what kind of resolution will it achieve for the Syrian people? Following months of political and diplomatic wrangling between Washington and Moscow, whose governments have rather
radically different visions for the Middle East, as far as self-governance and the rule of law are concerned, finally
came to a tentative understanding over Syria by way of a military truce this February.
While few thought any bridge would ever be raised between Damascus and the so-called opposition, as embodied by the High National Committee (HNC), Syrian President Bashar Assad demonstrated once again
his willingness to negotiate Syria a way out of war - I don't believe the same could be said of those
rebel factions which pro-democracy agenda has proven as fallacious as their taste for bloodshed has been pronounced.
The agreement, which evidently does not apply to those factions which have overtly declared their allegiance to terror, provides for a complete cessation of hostilities, as well as all territorial pursuits. A news report prepared by RT this Friday noted: "Participants are obligated to 'cease attacks with any weapons, including rockets, mortars, and anti-tank guided missiles' and 'refrain from acquiring or seeking to acquire territory from other parties to the ceasefire.' They must also allow 'unhindered and sustained' access to humanitarian assistance missions and employ only 'proportional force in self-defense against those not party to the agreement.'"
So far I would say that
Syria's ceasefire is pretty standard - after all no outlandish demands were made against Damascus, thus allowing for its government the space it still needs to pursue its counter-terror efforts.
So what's wrong with this picture? On paper, it looks as if the US and its allies are finally giving in to diplomacy, while somewhat recognizing Damascus's authority, if not overtly, at least implicitly.
So why the sinking feeling?
For one, I believe this ceasefire to be a sham - a blanket pulled over the world community's eyes to offer a resemblance of security before the kill. Don't get me wrong here, both
Damascus and Moscow are acutely aware of the manipulation. I actually think they are playing into it, eyes wide open. Welcome to the beautiful world of Sun Tzu and how to get your enemy tangled up on its own deceit.
Comment: By exercising patience, Russia and Syria will allow those acting in bad faith to reveal themselves.