A Rejuvenated Truce

Five years has past since the bloody war in Syria, and five years of failed attempts to end it. Now a cease fire has been arranged between the US and Russia, to join forces and stop the violence in a civil war that has displaced millions and killed over 500,000. After 10 months of trying

The United States and Russia are now working together to stop an Islamic state group and al-Qaida’s affiliate in Syria. U.S secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov both attended a meeting in Geneva to present their ideas on how to end Syria’s devastating War.

“We believe the plan as it is set forth — if implemented, if followed — has the ability to provide a turning point, a moment of change.”John Kerry.

A turning point in a war where over 500,000 lives have been lost, a losing effort. Things are looking up since the two rival goverments of the US and Russia have signed an arrangement. The two world powers are focusing on ending the gunfire.

The truce, however a bit unexpected due to the fact of distrust between US and Russia, seems to be happening due to a common goal. The arrangement is a counterterrorism alliance, that includes intellegence sharing and targeting coordination. The two world powers are focusing its firepower on Islamic States and a terrorist group recognized by the UN known as Nusra.

Defence secretary Ash Carter and National Intellegence Director James Clapper both have expressed negetive reactions towards the interactions between Russia and the US. Both showded up to the conferance several hours after the international disscussion. However, Clapper and Carter are not the only ones concerned multiple pentegon officals is also concerned that Russia will use the targeting data to learn more about how the US forces identity and attack the target.

The Syrian president Assad, getting his government and rebel groups to comply with the deal may be more difficult then stopping the violence in Syria’s most populated city Aleppo. Aleppo is now the main focus point of the war, US and Russia are focusing on eding the violence there first due to the high death count in the populous city.

“If Aleppo is at peace, we believe that the prospects for a diplomatic solution will brighten. If Aleppo continues to be torn apart, the prospects for Syria and its people are grim.” John Kerry

13 long hours went by in the Geneva negotiating session. US and Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran, and Turkey and the Kurds, all shifting alliances to try and solve a conflict that involves many militants, with many problems.

It took so long due to American skepticism with dealing with the Russians. This is a result of a deal that was formerly made in February of 2016, that deal fell though weeks after it was made. After Russia moved into Aleppo, with heavy artillery, to assist Assad’s troops.

This is a sensitive agreement and an even mor sensitive war. Hopefully both sides, US an Russia, can hold up there end of the deal this time to put an end to the death and destruction.