With a major push from the U.S., a new Syrian peace conference opened Wednesday in Switzerland, the first such effort since the middle of 2012. It wasn't easy getting everyone there and it will be harder still to achieve a breakthrough.
Here are a few key things to know about the conference:
1. What's the goal?
The aim is a broad-based transitional government that would have full power over state institutions, including the security forces. This body would seek to bring the civil war to an end and set the stage for a future government.
2. Who's taking part?
The Assad government was the first Syrian party to sign up. Extreme Islamist groups that are linked to al-Qaida and want to create as Islamic state won't be there. More moderate rebel factions, represented by the Syrian National Coalition, quarreled among themselves for weeks. Facing heavy pressure from the U.S. and other Western governments, they agreed last week to participate.
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