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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Is US-Russian Diplomacy Prolonging Syria's Civil War?

When the US was threatening force against Syria, fighting by both the government and the rebels dropped off.  Now it's increasing again. And there's no guarantee that Bashar al-Assad will get rid of his chemical weapons according to the ambitious timetable set by the US and Russia. What if he doesn't?

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

When the US was threatening force against Syria, fighting by both the government and the rebels dropped off. Now it's increasing again. And there's no guarantee that Bashar al-Assad will get rid of his chemical weapons according to the ambitious timetable set by the US and Russia. What if he doesn't? Will the US attack then, despite Russia's opposition? If Assad does meet the deadlines, will that mean peace for the Syrian people? We look at these and other questions about a short-term lull in what's really a long-term crisis.

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Caitlin Shamberg

    KCRW

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    Christian Bordal

    Managing Producer, Greater LA

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    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

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    Page Fortna

    Columbia University

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    Nikolas Gvosdev

    US Naval War College / The National Interest

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    Stewart Patrick

    Council on Foreign Relations; author of “The Sovereignty Wars: Reconciling America with the World”

    NewsNationalPolitics
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