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Closer cooperation

Jul 17,2016 - Last updated at Jul 17,2016

Although the US and Russia say they have reached an agreement on new steps to deal with the civil war in Syria, the two countries are still at odds over key issues such as whether President Bashar Assad should stay in power or go.

Late last week, US Secretary of State John Kerry held marathon meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss closer cooperation on Syria.

The Moscow talks came after The Washington Post published a leaked proposal reportedly by the US offering Russia a wider partnership against Daesh and the Al Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Al Nusra. 

It includes the sharing of intelligence and targets, and possible joint bombing operations.

After their talks in Moscow, Kerry and Lavrov said they will increase their coordination but refused to disclose any further details.

It is not clear whether that would include the reported proposal. 

The fact that the two countries, according to Kerry, “agreed to steps that, if implemented in good faith”, can help restore the cessation of hostilities, reduce the violence and “help create the space for a genuine and credible political transition” is reason for some slight optimism.

It remains to be seen whether these steps will in fact produce concrete results on the ground to boost humanitarian efforts in Syria and the fight against terrorist groups.

Kerry and Lavrov both cited the deadly terrorist attack in Nice as reason to push for peace in Syria, underscoring the international dimension of the issue.

 

Indeed, the continued instability in Syria only benefits terrorist groups and boosts their menace in the region and the world.

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