But even if America and Russia succeed in convening a peace conference, it is farfrom clear that the Syrians around thetable will wield sufficient influence over the forces fighting on the ground.
The success or failure of the two campaigns' attempts to remove these topics fromthetable could speak volumes this fall on how farthe nation has come on divisive race and religion-based debates in the political sphere, political experts say.
It is farfrom guaranteed that joining the ICC in order to have a "seat at thetable" will in any way allow the United States to guard against the pitfalls associated with membership.
And though we reluctantly learned a lot fromthe speeches that arose unbidden from his own bully pulpit at the head of the dinner table, we learned far more through the daily osmosis of his self sacrificing example.
Following the international break that big push starts against Fulham on Monday - and it is all a far cry from this time last season when Charlton shared the points at home against the Cottagers and were second in thetable.