“There is still very high level of mistrust between the US and Russia about whether they can work together on counterterrorism or not, and there is a record of expectations that have not been met”, says Randa Slim, Senior Fellow and Director, Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues Program, Middle East Institute. She also emphasizes that the United States, Russia, and Turkey may work in the humanitarian sphere – for example, in establishing a special safe zone to host the refugees.