AT the closure of 2016 — a tumultuous year by all accounts — there is a faint

glimmer of hope for the forsaken people of Syria. A fragile truce hammered
out by Russia and Turkey is largely holding, despite sporadic clashes, and
there is hope that in the days ahead, a more permanent peace can be worked
out in the Kazakh capital, Astana. After nearly seven years of a brutal,
grinding war, in which all sides have committed atrocities, it is hoped this
ceasefire holds and the reconstruction of this battered Arab state can begin.
There is, naturally, much scepticism about the chances of success, as a
number of truces have been reached, and broken, in past years. Yet all sides
must go the extra mile to make the latest effort successful, and spoilers within
and outside Syria must be isolated and prevented from sabotaging a
permanent peace deal in the country.

It is significant that Ankara and Moscow have taken the lead in negotiating peace,
with a distant Washington looking on. We have argued in these columns that it is
the countries of the region that can best contribute to a lasting peace in Syria as
they are directly affected by instability in the neighbourhood. It is also a fact that
Turkey and Russia have considerable influence within Syria, with the former
propping up the opposition, while the latter has been instrumental in turning the
tide in favour of Bashar al-Assad’s government, particularly with its military
support. Now, Ankara and Moscow, with the support of Iran and regional Arab
states, must build on this momentum and forge a lasting peace. Bashar al-Assad
must be made to understand that while his government may have gained the upper
hand, especially with the recent recapture of Aleppo, using military means to
decimate the opposition will result in perpetual conflict; a political compromise has
to be reached which paves the way for reform and representative government in
Syria. Supporters of the opposition, on the other hand, must make a clear
distinction between genuinely moderate political players, and hardcore extremist
factions that seek to impose a brutal, sectarian order. Unfortunately, in the muddy
waters of Syria, extremists have been in the forefront of the anti-Assad rebellion,
and have overshadowed and outgunned the moderate opposition.

Apart from the aforementioned players, spoilers who may try and ruin peace
efforts must be kept at bay. Israel — which has no love lost for the Assad regime
due to its support for Hezbollah — must be prevented from meddling in Syria,
while those Arab states that have surreptitiously supported extremist factions
inside Syria must also sever all such links. Washington and its allies, who have
long championed regime change in Syria, must also clarify their stance towards
militancy: how can they justify calling upon others to ‘do more’ against extremist
militants, yet support — directly or indirectly — the ideological brethren of such
groups in Syria? Only a lasting peace in Syria can enable a more robust response to
the region’s biggest challenge: defeating militant gangs such as the militant Islamic
State group and Al Nusra.