The Renewed Push Against Assad

[Zankou]

This new Guardian article is the best I've ever seen on the subject of foreign involvement in Syria's civil war, and in particular the respective roles of the US, Saudis, Brits, and Israelis. Including a ton of factual detail, and free of inane speculations/accusations, it really gives the inside scoop on how the rebels are being supported + the conflicts and issues that are being dealt with.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/11/syria-war-international-effort-southern-front-assad

It's not anything surprising overall -- it's been well-known that the Saudis have been pushing hardest to support the militants and bring Assad down, supplying the vast majority of their funding, while the US has been trying to accommodate the Saudis, and all sides have been (unsuccessfully) trying to curtail jihadi elements of the rebellion. But the details are great.

 

[Nebi]

Need more freedom..

 

[Pupi]

This meeting has been linked in turn to last month's launching by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) of what they termed a spring offensive in the south of Syria. The offensive began days after they received new US weapons funding that may eventually total $31.4m (

 

[Nebi]

31.4 million dollars to rebels in the Middle East while people in the u.s. need help in order to recuperate from this brutal winter. This country has it's priorities all mixed up.

That 31 millions would go somewhere else even if it wasn't used for the rebels. I'm sure some senator need new windows on his third house.

 

[Marsupial]

Related to this, a map detailing who is present where and who controls what in the northern and eastern parts of Syria. Rather interesting.

(Much easier to read if you follow the link.)

Mapping Syria's divided north and east

 

[PreTUF**]

Red: Pro-Assad
Green: Pro-Israel/West
Black: ISIL/ISIS
Yellow: Kurds

as of Jan 24 2014. Assad has made more grounds since then as well especially at qalamoun and yabroud is surrounded.