No One Is Winning The Syrian Civil War

Omar Sanadiki / Reuters

Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic: No One Is Winning the Syrian Civil War

Bashar al-Assad is only in power because of Russia's support. His country is devastated.

Seven years ago, when Syrian protesters called for “a day of rage” against Bashar al-Assad, there were few signs that they would have an impact. Three years later, as the protests transformed into a civil war, one that would eventually draw in the region’s powers, it seemed a matter of when, not if, Assad would go the way of his fellow strongmen in Tunisia and Egypt. But on March 15, 2018, which by some accounts marks the seventh anniversary of the start of the conflict, Assad appears no closer to leaving office than he was seven years ago.*

Assad’s has kept his position, at great cost to Syria. But it would be wrong to say he is in control. It’s true that he, with the support of Russia and Iran, has held on to Syria’s major cities, including Damascus and Aleppo, as well as much of the West of the country. (Russia’s military intervention in the conflict in late 2015 gave Assad a decisive edge.) Most of the Syrian population that didn’t flee the country now lives in areas controlled by the government. But Syria as a whole has effectively collapsed.

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Update: Timeline of the Syrian conflict as it enters 8th year (AP)

WNU Editor: Could not have said it any better .... specifically the part where no one is going to provide funds to rebuild Syria