There have been many delays to the latest meeting among forces involved in the war in Syria mostly relating to the question of participants. Many informed sources like Escobar don't hold out much hope for the talks to settle the numerous complicated conflicts in a peaceful way.
The alleged Syrian peace process now enters its Geneva charade stage. This could last months; get ready for lavish doses of posturing and bluster capable of stunning even Donald Trump.To help you follow the numerous references that Escobar makes regarding locations in Syria, I have provided this map showing the Kurdish cantons (not sure about the borders being currently accurate) and other cities.
The notion that Geneva may be able to impersonate Damascus in a suit-and-tie pantomime is ludicrous to begin with. Even the UN envoy, the sartorially superb Staffan de Mistura, admits the Sisyphean task ahead - even if all relevant players were at the table.
Then we have Syrian “opposition figure” George Sabra announcing that no delegation from the Riyadh-based High Negotiations Committee will be at the table in Geneva. As if Syrians needed an “opposition” instrumentalized by Saudi Arabia.
So in the interest of providing context, here’s an extremely concise recap of recent, crucial facts on the Syrian ground which the “new capital” Geneva may ignore at its own peril.
