Adel Darwish
Talks due to start 23 January in the Kazan capital Astana between Syrian government and many opposition, armed and civilian groups, and their backers in a settlement process sponsored by Russia and participation of Turkey, Iran and possible Gulf Arab states raising hopes to end to a five year blood civil war; but there are several dangerous mines on the road The talks were part of a comprehensive plan started with a Russian Turkish imposed ceasefire on December 30.