The United States and Russia have agreed on a plan that, if implemented, could “provide a turning point, a moment of change” in the Syria war, according to US Secretary of State John Kerry.
If it works, the deal would indeed be a breakthrough. Turkey, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the Syrian National Coalition have welcomed the agreement. US diplomats have succeeded in putting the onus on Russia to assure that the Syrian government does not fly combat missions against opposition forces backed by the United States and its allies. The cessation of hostilities would be renewed and after a period of reduced violence, the United States and Russia would begin joint planning against Jabhat al-Nusra, now known as the Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (Conquest of Syria Front), al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria. UN-mediated talks on a political transition would resume as soon as possible.