Let’s Talk About This Syrian Ceasefire

The last week was an emotional roller coaster for Syria. First a partial ceasefire was announced, then the US accidentally bombed Syrian troops, then Russia/Syria bombed a UN aid convoy and the ceasefire quickly fell apart. Still, US Secretary of State John Kerry had hopes that this ceasefire could be salvaged until Wednesday night when Syrian government planes “set rebel-held Aleppo ablaze” in one of the most intense raids in months. The shattered peace, while unsurprising, is still disheartening. 

The upcoming US election will almost guarantee a changed US policy vis-a-vis Syria. Although no one knows what Trump might do, it’s believed that he will be much more accommodating to Vladimir Putin and his ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It’s also thought that Hillary Clinton will take a much more aggressive stance against Assad and Putin. She’s previously advocated for “no-fly zones” in Syria which would level the playing field and risks bringing the US and Russia into direct conflict. With so much uncertainty in the air, it’s no wonder that the ceasefire fell apart as both sides try to gain as much as possible before the next president is sworn in.

GOOD READ: Pnut’s Summary Of The Syrian Civil War