Syrian Civil War

Analysts are saying the only real solution to Syria’s humanitarian catastrophe is an end to the conflict. Unfortunately, that end looks a long way off. The fighting inside Syria continues to erupt and shift, and despite continued attempts at peace, including talks in Moscow and a ceasefire proposal for Aleppo, the warring parties, and the countries with influence to stop them, remain divided. Most analysts are saying if left unchecked, the war may result into a regional struggle. Syria has been in the grip of war since 2011. In the political arena, opposition groups are also deeply divided, with rival alliances battling for supremacy. The most prominent is the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, backed by several Western and Gulf Arab states. To help us understand and unpack this, we are now joined on the line by:• Prof Fanie Vermaak: Lecturer, Department of Ancient Near Eastern Culture at UNISA • Na’eem Jeenah: Executive Director of the Afro-Middle East Centre • Tom Wheeler: Former Ambassador/ former Research Associate at the South African Institute of International Affairs