Feb. 12: In Syria, a Cease-Fire With Uncertain Prospects

The accord reached Feb. 12 on a gradual cease-fire in Syria will be limited in scope. The deal will not halt U.S.-led strikes against the Islamic State in Syria, nor will it stop extremist elements of the rebellion against President Bashar al Assad from acting. While the United States hopes that the lessening of hostilities will create room for a political solution to develop, competing interests among all the factions involved could easily cause this effort, like several before it, to fail....