The long road to Damascus

During a recent meeting in Damascus with a senior Syrian official, an American diplomat relayed a request from Washington concerning a human rights issue in Syria. The Syrian official paused a moment and then replied that if the appeal had been raised in say, six months, it would not be received well, but it would still be considered. Now, however, while the official would pass on the request, it would stand no chance of being fulfilled because Syria and the United States have not yet established the “basis of a relationship.” That anecdote illustrates the achingly slow progress made since the Obama administration began its cautious re-engagement with Syria, and how much farther both sides have to go before the fruits of their labor can be harvested. Recent signals emanating from Washington suggest that the Obama administration may be losing hope that a breakthrough can be achieved with the Damascus.