Global geopolitical Series: Iran, Russia, and Turkey meets to deal Syria’s post-war constitution

The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is holding talks with foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey, and Iran to reach an agreement to form a committee that would oversee that drafting of a new post-war constitution for Syria, a country which has been torn by wars and destruction since 2011. The meeting is taking place today and the announcement of names are expected after the meeting. De Mistura, who announced he would be stepping down by the end of the year, has tried since January to clinch an agreement on the identity of 150 members of a new constitutional committee to reinvigorate the dormant peace process following a Russian-hosted Syrian peace conference in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The forming of the constitution is expected to lead to a fair election in the country that might topple the Assad regime, which has ruled Syria since 1970.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government and the fragmented opposition fighting to topple him have each submitted a list of 50 names, but the three nations (Russia, Iran, and Turkey) have been haggling over the final 50 members from civil society and independent members.

President Assad has asked its key partners, Russia and Iran to limit influence on western countries in nominating members.