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The second reason why we, the US, and Iran (plus Egypt who was supporting us) ended up divided from those who would not renounce the idea of a military solution, is because of the statement that it is necessary to immediately declare a total ceasefire across all Syria. That did not happen either. Although, once again, Russia, the US, Iran, Egypt, Iraq, and many others were for it. However, a small contingency of the group for Syria’s support, would not agree to that approach and we could not reach a consensus. This resulted in a statement that a ceasefire must be introduced in conjunction with a political process. Now, the same people who insisted on this linkage are starting to say that first, there must be a complete ceasefire and humanitarian aid access and then, they will consider whether to begin the political process. The British have an expression, “shifting the goalposts.” You are playing football, handball, or ice hockey and you seem like you’re about to score, but the goal is being moved all the time. Remember, the Soviet animated film “Extraordinary Match”? This is how some of our partners are trying to play right now. Unfortunately, the US has caught the virus too and lately, as much as I am sad to see and talk about it, it has stopped being an impartial co-chair of the ISSG. It is obviously playing a one-sided game and is constantly shifting its goalposts.
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