Kerry Seeks ‘Clarity’ on Syria Talks

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he wants “clarity” on the Syrian peace talks that were supposed to begin in Geneva on Monday within the next 48 hours. During a visit to Laos, Kerry told reporters he agreed with the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura that invitations for the talks shouldn’t be sent out until the parties involved were ready. Kerry said it was worth delaying talks a few days, adding, “we don’t want to decide and have it crumble on day one.” The Syrian government has said it was ready to begin talks, but the opposition’s High Negotiation Committee, formed by political and armed opponents of President Bashar al-Assad, has said it will not participate until the government pauses fighting, lifts blockades, and releases detainees.