Jonathan Steele
23 January, 2017 - 18:45
The tragic civil war in Syria between the Alawite-led government of President Bashir Assad, and the numerous disunited rebel brigades (including ISIS) that battle for control of the country, has been marked by extreme violence on all sides. The conflict has already claimed over 250,000 lives, more than 4.5 million people have fled the country, a further 6.5 million are internally displaced, and the nation's infrastructure is in ruins. Regional and international powers including the US have attempted to intervene, all with their own geopolitical agendas. However only the Russian intervention on Assad's behalf, both military and diplomatic, has had any significant impact, and despite furious criticism by the West, Putin has persuaded the US to make its top priority the defeat of ISIS rather than the fall of Assad. The distinguished foreign correspondent Jonathan Steele will discuss the situation with us. Jonathan has spent many years in the Middle East and Russia, and was the Guardian's Moscow bureau chief during the collapse of communism. He has won numerous awards including the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism, and has twice been named International Reporter of the Year in the British Press Awards. He is the author of widely acclaimed books on international relations, including four on Russia, and is currently Chief Reporter of the website Middle East Eye.
Plus informations : http://www.mondediplofriends.org.uk/2017/russian-intervention-syria
Format of the Talks
The talks begin at 6.45pm and end around 8.30pm giving plenty of time for questions and discussion. Entrance Fee : £3 (£2 for concessions). Tickets on the door. Wine and soft drinks will be on sale and we suggest you arrive 15 minutes beforehand so that you can settle in with a glass of wine or fruit juice.
Finding the Cafe Diplo
The Cafe is at our usual venue at The Gallery, Alan Baxter & Associates LLP, 75 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EL. The nearest tube/overground station is Farringdon and from there you head up the hill into Cowcross Street. On the right hand side you pass the "Three Compasses" Pub and about 50 metres further on you will see some iron gates with a small Cafe Diplo sign. Inside the gate you will find the reception area. Link to directions to the venue.
Further details on the Friends of Le Monde Diplomatique website where you can see the future programme of events.