On the second anniversary of the uprising against the Assad regime, thoughts about the current situation:
1. NOSTALGIA ABOUT THE PAST
"There are still the protests. There are still the signs that make us think that there need not be sectarian violence, that there has to be some way forward beyond the bloodshed, a way forward for all Syrians. But it seems almost Utopian."
2. THE KALEIDOSCOPE OF A CIVIL WAR
"There is no way to reduce this to a good v. bad scenario, even if you think one should be imposed."
3. YOU CANNOT CONTROL A KALEIDOSCOPE, AND YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE CONFLICT
4. WHERE NOW?
"There is going to be uncertainty, there is going to be a range of outcomes --- not all of them good --- whatever you advocate."