With The World Focused On Ukraine, Syrian President Assad Is Now Pushing With Plans To Crush The Rebellion Against His Rule

Supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hold up his pictures during a rally supporting him and the army in Damascus on Feb. 19, 2014. Khaled Al-Hariri/Reuters

Assad Taking Advantage Of U.S.-Russia Split Over Ukraine, Observers Say -- Washington Post

BEIRUT — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is taking advantage of the rift between Russia and the United States over Ukraine to press ahead with plans to crush the rebellion against his rule and secure his reelection for another seven-year term, unencumbered by pressure to compromise with his opponents.

The collapse last month of peace talks in Geneva, jointly sponsored by Russia and the United States, had already eroded the slim prospects that a negotiated settlement to the Syrian war might be possible. With backers of the peace process now at odds over the outcome of the popular uprising in Ukraine, Assad feels newly confident that his efforts to restore his government’s authority won’t be met soon with any significant challenge from the international community, according to analysts and people familiar with the thinking of the regime.

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My Comment: Syrian forces loyal to Bashar al-Asssad have made headway this winter against rebel forces. The key for the regime is to keep the momentum .... and daunting task if the rebels regroup and focus on him instead of fighting amongst themselves.