Peace Conference as a Chance for Syria

More than a quarter million dead, more than 13 million Syrians on the run – the importance of the peace conference to be held in Geneva cannot be overestimated. It is supposed to end the killing in the country which is war-ridden since five years and contribute to eliminating the reasons for a forced flight from Syria to Europe or elsewhere.

The short term goal is a truce. A ceasefire would allow the urgently needed humanitarian aid to access the towns sometimes besieged since weeks. Everywhere in Syria medicine, water, food is lacking. In the medium term the initiators of the conference intend to hold elections in Syria. In the long run, a multi-ethnic, democratic, and secular state should be built on the existing territory – a goal undeniably ambitious, which we nonetheless support.

Along the way to this goal, it is important to include all relevant groups in the process that declare to waive any further violence. Islamistic groups, supporting the ceasefire, need to be involved as well as the Kurds, or the Syrian government. Not to be included are the so called Islamic State, al-Nusra Front, and all else that are not ready to give up the armed fight. Saudi-Arabia and Iran, leading one of their proxy wars on Syria’s territory, need to be part of negotiations as well. Riad, as well as Tehran are responsible for grave human rights violations. Executions are daily fare in both countries. Yet, a lasting peace in Syria stringently requires the agreement of both regimes on this issue.

The German federal government gave up neutrality by sending the army to Syria and thus weakend its role as a mediator. The federal government needs to firmly oppose the additional employing of AEW&C aircrafts in Syria, which would be equipped among others with a German crew, within the framework of a NATO engagement. The reasoning of the U.S., such scouting aircrafts would be urgently needed, seems utterly spurious since aircrafts of this type are already in use in the conflict region by members of the so called coalition of the willing.

Furthermore, the Islamic State will use the NATO intervention for its own purposes. The Islamists already propagate a “crusade of the West against Islam” – an intervention of NATO would aid the further recruiting of new fighters. Moreover, this intervention complicates cooperation with Russia leading to a solution of the conflict, or renders it nearly impossible. Yet, Russia and its relations with the Syrian government are a precondition for a peaceful solution.

Geneva can only become a success if all parties involved are ready to subordinate their own interests to the longterm goal of a sustainable peace in Syria.