This is with reference to the article “Between hope and history” (Feb. 1) by Abdulrahman Al-Rashed. The upcoming talks on Syrian crisis may not be able to yield results but at least the international community has finally accepted the Syrian opposition as a force to reckon with. The Syrian opposition’s presence in the talks indicates that the world accepts its legitimacy and that Assad cannot continue to wreak havoc on Syrians forever.

A few months ago, the international community was reluctant in even recognizing any other force in Syria other than Assad’s regime. This is a positive shift in the world’s attitude toward the Syrian despot. If it were not for Russian and Iranian support, Assad would have long been slipped into oblivion. I am really surprised at Moscow’s stance on this issue. It appears to me as if Russia is only supporting Assad because the United States is against the Syrian dictator. As for Iran, it will soon pay the price for its ugly sectarian agenda. Iranian leaders are living in a fool’s paradise and their actions are not in sync with the requirements of today’s world.