re: #395 Killgore Trout

The FSA has basically imploded and Islamists backed by the Gulf States have coopted those that were fighting for the FSA. That includes some segment of Islamists who align with al Qaeda. So, no good options there, and the West/US cutting off the funds means that the Gulf States will hold greater sway.

It also means that Turkey and Saudi Arabia may attempt to fund opposition that hews closer to their goals - and that’s not necessarily the same thing for the other.

Beneficiary for all this? Assad - splintered opposition means he can potentially pick off the opposition groups over time, but it’s been a stalemate situation for some time. Assad can live with that - he’s still in power after all, but the country’s residents are going to continue to live in a meat-grinder.