Assad Admits All is Not Well in Fight against Insurgents

Taking to the airwaves was itself a rare moment for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad whose visibility has declined during the course of his nation’s civil war, now it its fifth year. What he had to say was even more unusual: admitting that the confrontation has left his forces with a manpower shortage and that he has made strategic decisions to sacrifice some territories in order to hold on to others. Assad’s televised speech was not without his normal bluster and declarations, including finger-pointing at the foreign interference in the war. The president also used an old stand-by: the offer of amnesty. This time the olive branch was held out to those who avoided military service or who deserted, with the proviso that they not fight for the rebel forces. Commentators note that those covered by previous such gestures remain in jail. Assad’s Sunday speech was preceded by an announcement that the largest umbrella organization of rebel groups based outside of Syria (in Turkey) signed an agreement with the largest internal opposition group. The latest developments come against a background of rumors of a major deal that would see Assad’s supporters and opponents join together to fight against ISIS.