What is the best way forward for Syria?

The Syrian conflict has gone on for nearly three years, and appears to show no sign of ending anytime soon. 

Families have been torn apart, entire communities have been ruined and schools and hospitals destroyed.

The Western backed Syrian National Coalition maintains that the only way forward is a transitional government, while the Syrian government argues the main priority is fighting terrorism.

Meanwhile, on the ground, fighting remains as fierce as ever, and neither the opposition nor the government is strong enough to end the conflict.

Last week the Syrian government and opposition fighters agreed to stop the fighting in a number of areas near the capital Damascus.

Some of these areas have been besieged since last year. However, these agreements have divided many.

In this episode of Inside Syria, we discuss the latest developments in the Syrian conflict and the best way forward for the war-torn country.

Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault

Guests:

Haytham Sbahi, a Syrian political activist who supports the Syrian government

Faysal Itani, a fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Louay Safi, a senior member of the Syrian National Coalition