[Goose]

Opposition forces are “at the gates” of Damascus (sorry, couldn’t resist).  This looks to be all she wrote for the Assad regime.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...r-al-assad

BC

As I understand it, the opposition forces "at the gates" are actually coming from the south. They are not part of Hassan Abdul-Ghani's forces. Other groups are closing in from the east. This is really bad news for Assad as his capability to flee overland is being cut off. Worse still, the fact these smaller groups are joining the party means they are convinced Assad is done for and want their "piece of the pie" in the "settlement", whatever that is. They are not strong enough to stand up to Assad by themselves, but if he is doomed anyway they are better off being on the "winning side".

It must be noted that as the article stated the "foreign ministers" are meeting to discuss the situation. Some of the participants want Assad to remain in some capacity. They prefer the devil they know. Others simply want to avoid a continued war after Assad is gone. Others hope for exactly that to keep Syria weak. Right now, foreign intervention is Assad's best hope. Hassan Abdul-Ghani wants to end this thing fast and present the world with some kind of fiat accompli. I am guessing he greatly fears what will happen if some kind of cease-fire is imposed by external forces.

[Goose]

Opposition forces are “at the gates” of Damascus (sorry, couldn’t resist).  This looks to be all she wrote for the Assad regime.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...r-al-assad

BC

As I understand it, the opposition forces "at the gates" are actually coming from the south. They are not part of Hassan Abdul-Ghani's forces. Other groups are closing in from the east. This is really bad news for Assad as his capability to flee overland is being cut off. Worse still, the fact these smaller groups are joining the party means they are convinced Assad is done for and want their "piece of the pie" in the "settlement", whatever that is. They are not strong enough to stand up to Assad by themselves, but if he is doomed anyway they are better off being on the "winning side".

It must be noted that as the article stated the "foreign ministers" are meeting to discuss the situation. Some of the participants want Assad to remain in some capacity. They prefer the devil they know. Others simply want to avoid a continued war after Assad is gone. Others hope for exactly that to keep Syria weak. Right now, foreign intervention is Assad's best hope. Hassan Abdul-Ghani wants to end this thing fast and present the world with some kind of fiat accompli. I am guessing he greatly fears what will happen if some kind of cease-fire is imposed by external forces.