perception management

 ➱ U.S. Tells Russia and Iran Not to Attack in Syria, Conducts Major Military Drills in Syria around Al Tanf

My impressions based on the earliest news reports from the Astana 3/Tripartite Summit is that the status quo (the existing state of affairs) will be maintained regarding Idlib.Instead of updating the previous post, Idlib Crunch Time: Kurds "renew" Claim for Idlib. Astana 3 in Iran- Staus Quo Or Escalation?, I've opted for an entirely new one. For now the status quo is the least worse option for Syria &the surrounding area. 

The Astana 3 had agreed that Turkey would have a set amount of time to "convince” HTS to lay down arms. To not wage war against SAA. It's being reported that Turkey, last week, designated HTS a terror group. Which indicates a negotiations fail.Despite what some may think, this is quite likely, not a good sign for Idlib, Syria, Russia, Iran, Turkey,  civilians or the situation in Syria as it pertains to taking back the east. And that more smooth return I had hoped for!  -Not a perfect return. -Not a bloodless return.Since, that was never going to be the case.

Here's one you may have missed. Certainly, I did!

Following up, or continuing to cover the ongoing situation in Syria.....

Syria: US Signals To Russia They Will Hit Syria if Chemical Weapons are Deployed

Macron speaks

 Is it possible, should there be a 'chemical weapons' attack in Syria, that there will be in automatic, immediate attack launched by the coalition? No pretext of going through the UN to add the aura of legitimacy to that which was desired all along? No trying to figure out if a chemical attack will have actually happened or who did the deed?  Nothing like that. Just a claim of chemicals weapons use and boom- the US/coalition hits? Bloomberg:

Kurdistan24

Tragedy: Disastrous. Calamitous. Misfortune

Interesting oped from Peter Koenig

Personally, speaking. The answer to the above question: Is Turkey likely to annex the Syrian territory it now controls? No. It's doubtful Turkey needs the extra headache that would be had by annexing this territory.