Syrian stalemate to continue, argues new Lowy Institute Analysis

A new Lowy Institute Analysis examines the trajectory of the Syrian conflict in the wake of the Russian and US agreement to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons. It argues that while the agreement, enshrined in Security Council Resolution 2118, is a welcome sign of diplomatic progress, it will do nothing to end the conflict or mitigate some of its other disastrous consequences.

'While this deal, reinforced by a Security Council Resolution, potentially removes a pernicious class of weapons from the Syrian battlefield, the conflict will remain locked in a bloody stalemate,' said Analysis co-author, Lowy Institute Research Director, Anthony Bubalo.

'The West needs to build on this deal and forge new agreements to gain humanitarian access and protection for Syria's civilians, and to establish a durable ceasefire. This will mean accepting, for the moment at least, that Assad will remain in power. But Western policy on Syria needs to operate within the realm of the possible, rather than the preferable', said co-author, Lowy Institute Nonresident Fellow, Dr Rodger Shanahan.