The first Trump test: European policy and the Siege of Aleppo

To the backdrop of Donald Trump’s election as US President on the 8 November 2016, the author argues that the opening of a new Russian-backed military assault on rebel-held Eastern Aleppo the following week – following a three-week pause - heralded a potentially critical moment in the course of the devastating five-year conflict.

The author suggests that there was no longer any real hope of deposing President Bashar Hafez al-Assad of Syria. Europe must instead work towards an ugly deal that salvages something for the Syrian people.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: European Council conclusions on external relations, 20 October 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-conclusions-on-external-relations-20-october-2016/

EU: EEAS: Syria: Delegation of the European Union to Syria https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/syria_en

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 18.11.16: High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini meets with the Syrian opposition leaders https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/syria/15354/federica-mogherini-meets-with-the-syrian-opposition-leaders_en

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 07.11.16: HR/VP Mogherini meets with the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/syria/14245/hrvp-mogherini-meets-with-the-un-special-envoy-for-syria-staffan-de-mistura_en

ESO: Background information: World becomes unpredictable as ‘populist’ Trump wins US election http://www.europeansources.info/record/world-becomes-unpredictable-as-populist-trump-wins-us-election/

ESO: Background information: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the situation in Aleppo http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-unions-reaction-to-escalation-of-fighting-in-aleppo/

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