On the streets of government-controlled Damascus, Syrians are gearing up for the Geneva 2 peace conference.
So are the newspapers.
One headline reads, "We will do everything we can to make Geneva 2 successful."
Some Syrians hope so too.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MRS. AKKACH, SYRIAN CITIZEN, SAYING:
"I hope we return to the way we were because we lived like kings. We did not know the value of safety and security until we lost them."
After nearly three years of war in Syria, government forces have been making gains.
Rebel in-fighting and continued support from allies Iran and Russia are boosting the state's fight.
Still, Moscow and Washington are urging both sides to make concessions -- which doesn't sit well with the opposition Syrian National Coalition, now meeting in Turkey.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIAN NATIONAL COALITION SPOKESMAN, KHALED SALEH, SAYING:
"I want to stop the bloodshed in Syria now and not when the diplomatic proces
