For a better understanding of the Syrian refugee crisis, this massive exodus and its impact on neighboring countries including Europe, it would be better to focus briefly on the political reasons that led to this human tragedy of an unprecedented scale in this century.

Five years ago started the Syrian peaceful demonstrations in Deraa, and spread later on to major cities and suburbs raising slogans asking for freedom, dignity and an end to tyranny.

Five years ago, the regime’s answer was shooting at peaceful protestors, massive arrests and terrible persecution and torture.

That was before the beginning of armed rebellion, and before the emergence of terrorist groups like ‘Nusra’ and ‘Daesh’ or other organizations of that kind.

Five years ago, there were several political initiatives to try to implement a peaceful solution for the Syrian crisis.

The first one was the Arab League mission, then came the United Nations one lead by Kofi Anan then the Lakhdar Ibrahimi mediation.

Five years ago, the basic demands of these missions were the following:

1. Withdrawal of army units from cities.

2. Stop indiscriminate firing at peaceful civilian protestors.

3. Release of prisoners and the formation of an independent fact finding mission about missing persons and tortured ones.

4. Allowing free movement of the press.

5. New constitution- with a multi-party system away from the monopoly of the ruling Baath Party.

6. National dialogue- national unity government.

7. Free Elections.

Needless to say that the mediation efforts failed, that the regime rejected any compromise, that the scale of destruction and violence reached unprecedented levels, and today, with the Russian intervention, the massive exodus of civilians, to the neighboring countries and Europe will be uncontrollable.

Now what can be done by the European Socialists and their friends of the Socialist International?

What can be done facing the realities that the major countries in the Middle East, Iraq and Syria are falling apart?

What can be done to safeguard Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. What can be done to protect European unity and stability?

More than ever a united European position is a must to face the various challenges:

1. Turkey:

Being a major NATO power between Europe and the Middle East, Turkey should be addressed carefully about its concerns and should be faced politely about facilitating the influx of refugees to Europe.

One of the major Turkish concerns, if not the main one, is the Kurdish issue.

Europe should help the Turks in finding an appropriate solution for the Kurdish problem, a peaceful one based on integration.

Europe, or some parties in Europe, should not be tempted to encourage any Kurdish attempt that could infringe Turkish sovereignty and territorial integrity.

From the beginning of the Syrian crisis, the Turks hosted more than two million refugees. It was a big burden for Turkish economy and security.

But today, the policy of facilitating the flow of refugees to Europe is putting at risk European stability and unity.

There should be a frank dialogue with the Turks about possible future negative implications of this policy, and listen to their demands.

2.Russia:

From one side, Russian expansionism, Crimea, Ukraine is endangering Europe’s stability, but from the side, isolating Russia will increase fears on both sides, and create a new cold war attitude, which will endanger European interests and Russian interests.

It is too late to negate some Russian ‘fait accompli’ like Crimea. Ukraine should be tackled very carefully away from the surrounding xenophobic historical demons that led to tragedies in the past.

Better to engage a dialogue, better use the ballot box, better to have economic cooperation, than sanctions.

As for Syria, where the Russians had from the time of the Soviets vested interests, many issues are at stake after their direct military intervention.

And on this subject, many questions arise:

1. Do the Russians believe that through this unilateral intervention, they can safeguard the unity of Syria?

2. Do they believe, with their allies, the Iranians, that prolonging the life span of the Syrian regime, will lead to a stable Syria?

3. What would be the time limit of the transitional period, if there is any?

4. Would the Russians, and their allies propose again the same old scenario of having to decide the fate of the regime?

They have in the past assisted at this kind of mascarade elections, and the result was just prolonging the Syrian tragedy.

I presume that such questions, such issues will be discussed in Vienna.

On the other hand, I hope that the Russians do worry about the future of Europe, about the stability of Europe unity and the stability of Europe.

Not solving adequately the Syrian crisis, with a common constructive approach with all the parties or powers involved could make the refugee crisis trigger the rise of neo-fascist parties in Europe, with unknown, or unpredictable consequences for stability, unity and peace in Europe.

Last but not least, the recent events in Palestine, in the Occupied Territories, and Israel 1948, with the profanation on the ‘Haram EL Sharif’, leads to the conclusion that the peace process is long time dead, with it the two state solution.