Syria Is Not Lost Yet

Despite six years of incoherent policy, Western countries can still positively shape Syria’s post-conflict settlement. This may be their last chance.

This Expert Comment coincides with the publication in March 2017 of a Research Paper called Western Policy Towards Syria: Applying Lessons Learned. The team of contributors conclude that over the past six years, there has been a significant gap between the West’s rhetoric and its actions in Syria. Western policymakers must learn from their mistakes to form a more effective strategy.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Adoption of a Joint Communication proposing an EU Strategy for Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/adoption-of-a-joint-communication-proposing-an-eu-strategy-for-syria/

ESO: Background information: Syria at the core of Federica Mogherini's bilateral meetings in Bonn and Munich http://www.europeansources.info/record/syria-at-the-core-of-federica-mogherinis-bilateral-meetings-in-bonn-and-munich/

EU: EEAS: Factsheet, 14.03.17: The EU and the crisis in Syria, factsheet https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/22664/

EU: EEAS: EU and Syria https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/592/syria-and-eu_en

Chatham House: Research Paper, March 2017: Western Policy Towards Syria: Applying Lessons Learned https://www.chathamhouse.org/publication/western-policy-towards-syria-applying-lessons-learned

The Conversation, 20.03.17: As Syrian conflict enters its seventh year, Assad’s future is the sticking point https://theconversation.com/as-syrian-conflict-enters-its-seventh-year-assads-future-is-the-sticking-point-74588

ESO: Background information: Syria talks must narrow the goals to widen the goal posts http://www.europeansources.info/record/syria-talks-must-narrow-the-goals-to-widen-the-goal-posts/

openDemocracy, 20.03.17: Syria: Is peace possible if Assad stays? https://www.opendemocracy.net/arab-awakening/caroline-brooks/syria-is-peace-possible-if-assad-stays

ECFR: Commentary, 30.03.17: Time to play the money card in Syria http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_time_to_play_the_money_card_in_syria_7261

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 17.04.18: The West Is Still Missing a Strategy in Syria https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/west-still-missing-strategy-syria

ECFR: Commentary, 12.04.18: Syria strikes: in search of a strategy http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_syria_strikes_in_search_of_a_strategy

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