Map: Exclusive aerial images of Syria - Homs and Idlib

[tabatha]

This is REALLY what is going on in Syria - the opposition have no chance, especially as the only arms they are getting are from the black market. Note how Assad has encircled both cities to control them.

If there were any outside help, it is a complete failure. But there is none, because NATO and others would not allow failure to happen if they were involved.

[al bupp]

1. Truly an assymetrical conflict

The opposition clearly needs the conflict to metastisize across the country. One has to wonder if the government's tactics could work across all its cities. Assad has allies in Iran, Iraq and Russia, meaning he can probably survive any sanctions which the UN can throw at him.

So, the rebels will have to buckle down for an insurgency, and probably a long one, given the lack of much interest by western powers in engaging Assad militarily. They can probably count on aid and weapons from the Turks and Kurds, though I'd guess at a price. The Syrians are certainly not in an eviable position against a ruthless government willing to use rockets, snipers and mass arrests without much apparent compunction.