A major rhetorical shift came today from the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), as the opposition faction agreed in principle to participate in the Geneva II peace conference, the first rebel-affiliated bloc to do so.
The SNC’s willingness came with a series of preconditions that would have to be met before they’d attend, and the vagueness of some of the points suggest that they are still on the fence about the matter.
While presenting their primary precondition as an end to fighting for the sake of getting humanitarian aid to civilians, the call for a full “withdrawal” of the military from major cities seems dicey, and the vague calls for an agreement to a “transition” also raise significant doubts.
It’s not even clear why the Geneva II talks would be needed if all these things could be agreed on unilaterally beforehand, and with many factions remaining staunchly opposed to making a deal, all the demands seem to be designed to give the SNC an out if the talks get scheduled and they decide it is no longer politically advantageous to attend.
Yes, by all means let's give them all the cities after military withdraws so they can have 24/7 performance of headchopping, women and babies splicing in two, then hanging the parts on trees, chain saw dismemberment of girls, and insuring that women can only walk downwind from the "rebels" to insure that their smell does not offend them. And then think of the opportunities to kill all the principals and teachers for not teaching "true" islam — think of the progess! And Saudi Arbia is now trying to "clean up" their image, forcing them to "unite" under the name of the Army of Islam, taht will recognize the "Coalition". In itself a motley crew of people who have not lived in Syria recently, if ever. It would be better for everyone concerned to help Syrian REAL army that is battling the insane bombers and psychopaths, to get them go back where they came from. Including back to Saudi jails that released them under condition to fight in Syria.
This is a losing proposition for the "West", and the sooner we back off and let the thugs lose, the better off the world will be — us including. It may cost politicians some ego, but they will soon forget it. It is time to get out of the mess — and the sooner, the better.