Introduction

Raad Adayleh/Associated Press

Russian airstrikes have forcefully backed up Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, and put Syrian rebels are on their heels, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the country. Meanwhile attacks by the Islamic State continue. The United States and Russia have agreed to a “provisional,” partial truce in Syria, but the likelihood that all parties will comply is uncertain.

Can the United States do anything to keep Assad from decimating his opponents and to widen the fight against ISIS?