Negotiating Transitional Arrangements in Syria

The purpose of this negotiation simulation is to surface key issues and potential solutions to points of impasse likely to arise during potential Geneva negotiations on an interim, or transitional, period in Syria. The objective of the simulation is not to suggest that peace negotiations are necessarily the best course of action for the parties or to reach consensus on the precise nature of a political settlement in Syria. Rather, this negotiation is designed to stimulate debate, identify points of conflict, and find potential solutions. The negotiation simulation has been developed using the methodology employed by the United States Department of State’s National Foreign Affairs Training Institute, which runs similar negotiations to train U.S. diplomats prior to negotiations.

To provide the necessary information to conduct the simulation, this briefing packet contains a brief background, the context of negotiations, an overview of the parties, and a summary of the issues to be negotiated. Participants are divided into three delegations: the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (“Syrian Coalition”); the Government of Syria; and the United States (“US”), Russia, and the United Nations (“UN”) acting as mediators. The simulation will proceed along a structured agenda provided on the day of the simulation.

Click here to view the Negotiating Transitional Arrangements in Syria Packet.