Has America put too much faith in Russia over Syria

First a ceasefire in Syria, then aid and then perhaps a political transition Don’t bet on it, analysts warn, saying Washington has put too much faith in Moscow.

Efforts to end Syria’s brutal five-year civil war may hang by a thread, but Washing-ton’s top diplomat will once again throw himself into the fray. US secretary of state John Kerry set off on Friday for Saudi Arabia to consult with his Arab ally before talks on Syria in Vienna on Tuesday.

Once again, senior officials from the 17-nation International Syria Support Group will meet to reaffirm their support for peace.

But will they have any more success than they have had so far Or will Bashar al-Assad and his rebel foes fight on as Syria drowns in blood

“Obviously, not all the trend lines in Syria are going in the right direction,” Mr Kerry’s spokesman admitted on Friday. “There’s plenty of work to be done.”

But many of the US administration’s critics think the plan is doomed by a fundamental flaw — it relies on Russia’s good graces.

Moscow has undertaken to pressure its ally Mr Assad to respect the shaky truce that Washi-ngton hopes will smoo-th the path to political talks.

“Regardless of what the Russians might wa-nt, they are effectively supporting a victory operation on behalf of Syria and the Iranians,” said Jim Jeffrey, a former top diplomat said. “The Russians agreed to a clear political transition — they have not delivered on that.”