Some may doubt Crowbat's postings on the situation with the Assad regime in Syria, just refound this BBC News report 'Syria: Assad loyalists concerned by rise of paramilitaries', now four days old:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29429941

It ends with an optimistic passage:
Most Syrians, whether they support the opposition or government, want to see an end to the war. But only a just deal that prevented reprisals and brought to justice those responsible for war crimes would allow the dust to settle.