Syria

Serious progress is unlikely given Moscow's intransigence on Syria, Iran, and missile defense.

A firmer combination of pressure and incentives, with appropriate attention to Moscow's domestic concerns, could tip the balance toward greater U.S.-Russian cooperation in Syria.

Similar to other conflicts, diplomacy on Syria is as much, if not more, about what one does away from the table to develop leverage as it is about talks themselves.

The PBS NewsHour blog Rundown recently published a roundtable discussion on the prospect of more weapons flowing into Syria amid talk of a negotiated settlement. The following is Andrew Tabler's contribution; read the full discussion on the NewsHour website. Russia's supplying of the Syrian regime with S-300 anti-aircraft missiles would

Given the regime's renewed offensive capabilities, delaying foreign military assistance any further is a recipe for more rebel defeats.

Notwithstanding current hostilities, there is a long history of cooperation between Sunni and Shiite extremists.

Sectarian flames are melting away Turkey's hard-earned soft power in the Middle East and pushing Ankara closer to Washington.

Turkey's worsening border situation gives President Obama considerable asking power with Erdogan on a variety of issues, including Iran, Israel, and domestic reform.

While taking action in Syria will not be simple or cheap, it will ultimately be less costly than losing control of chemical weapons or letting Jordan and other neighbors be destabilized.