Illustration by Rachel Lee. Boy was depressed mainly because his mother and father had decided to name him “Boy.” As a seven-year-old, Boy ran away from home, but he only...

Even as the U.S. government emphasized the necessity of reaching a political agreement to end the war, it now negotiates with little power. While the countries backing the regime exhibit a willingness to continue pouring money and fighters into Syria, those pushing for peace display a desire to end the conflict.

Yesterday afternoon, the Syria peace talks in Geneva produced their first breakthrough. The UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi reported that both parties have agreed upon conditions under...