Syrian Talks Under Way in Astana

Representatives of both the Syrian government of Bashar Al-Assad and the rebel forces seeking his removal showed up in the Khazakhstan capital of Astana on Sunday to participate in talks brokered by Russia and Turkey aiming at an end to the six-year old Syrian civil war. Although it was supposed to be the first time the two sides have sat down across from each other without intermediaries, when the talks began, the rebels refused to speak directly to the Assad representatives. The refusal to talk was explained to be a protest against unabated military activity on the part of regime-loyal troops in areas around Damascus in violation of the ceasefire agreement signed at the end of December. Whether it was a one-off protest or the rebels will remain away from the table as long as gunfire continues remains to be seen.