To be honest I agree with Ry on the stupidity of western policy in the Middle East, it's either appease if they buy arms off us or destabilise if the USA asks us to. Other than that and he's an idiot.
I think that's a bit harsh on advocate ..he just needs to get out into the real world once in a while.
Camamoron calls them "rebels". Russian leaders calls them terrorists. I'd have more faith in the Russians.
There is no doubt that Syria as a nation would be better off without Assad. Putin is only interested in Russian interests. Painting Putin as the global sword of truth is naïve to put it mildly. If Isis agreed to be under the influence of Putin and Putin felt it was in Russian interests to back them, Putin would send a radioactive teapot to Assad without hesitation. Anyone who puts all their eggs in Putins basket is a fool.
And of course as we can see with Assad in charge its like Last of the Summer Wine isn't it. Oh look is that Compo coming down the hill in a bath? No its about a million different factions trying to murder each other in the most brutal way.