LIGNET Analysis — The new peace plan for Syria that emerged from the June 30 conference in Geneva calls for a transitional government to be put in place. But the United States and Russia differ on what, exactly, this means. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says it means Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step down. Russia says it means nothing of the sort. In fact, Russia balked at including language in the plan that would have specifically forbidden any members of Assad’s government from taking part in a transitional government, and the United States agreed to leave it out. The result is a weakened American negotiating position and a “peace plan” for Syria that will likely lead to increased violence.

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