Syria wants to look like they helped so they get credit.

So far they're making out and now there are reports of a Russian missile hitting Al Nusra targets in the last hour.

But who knows. I'll check twitter for more information.

Thanks for the thread, Purveyor.

so we can get back to the regularly scheduled programming.

(Unless of course, there is a non-violent opposition group in Gandhian philosophy)

Respect paid, I suppose, as the US sees it, even after Assad had said "No".

why say this?

perhaps Assod is trying to save face?

means something
to a person who is not
of the USA-culture?

help me out here... thanks

Also gets Syria to stand down and not attack any of the planes/drones/whatever they're throwing at isil. We're not doing any of this because we give a shit about al assad but he will likely benefit from any degrading of isil so it's in his interest to stand back and let it happen.

Assad does not want to do too much to get in the way, especially since ISIL is the most reviled entity on the planet