Fawaz Gerges and Rosemary Hollis with Robin Yassin-Kassab at the openDemocracy conference Syria's peace: what, how, when?, discussing the regional proxy war, class dynamics in Syria, intervention and the costs of not negotiating with Assad.
This conversation was filmed at the openDemocracy conference Syria's peace: what, how, when?, building on issues tabled at the morning panel session which was held under Chatham House rule. The conference was held with the support of the Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre (NOREF).
Transcript coming soon.
Syria's peace: what, how, when?
Morning session: No political track?
The political track has been declared effectively non-existent. A 'grand bargain' is needed but apparently unattainable, with conflict frozen into international and regional stances, and actively participant in Syria's on the ground reality. Violence is creating new ground-level political realities. What work should be done now to create and build upon opportunities for de-escalation, and widen options for Syrians?
Chair: Mariano Aguirre
Afernoon session: Groundlevel dynamics, possible outcomes.
Workshops followed by plenary discussion of practical steps forward.
Economic interventions
Convened by Farah al-Atassi (Syrian Economic Task Force)
Addressing social divisions
Convened by Talal Al-Mayhani (Cambridge)
Emerging civil administrations
Convened by Tristan Salmon (Integrity)
Future scenarios
Convened by Shelley Deane (International Alert)
The conveners are joined by workshop participants to build on the day's sessions. What possible outcomes arise, and what implications do they bear for international and domestic actors?
Chair: Scilla Elworthy
The conference took place in London on 12 Feb 2013. Full details including panellists are available here.