Shifting Realities in Syria

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/25/opinion/sunday/shifting-realities-in-syria.html

Shifting Realities in Syria

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

JAN. 24, 2015

As recently as October, Secretary of State John Kerry argued that there will never be peace in Syria as long as President Bashar al-Assad “remains the focus of power” there. Even now, American officials continue to insist that any lasting political solution will require Mr. Assad’s exit. But the unsettling truth is that the brutal dictator is still clinging to power and the United States and its allies are going to have to live with him, at least for now.

Mr. Kerry seemed tacitly to acknowledge as much recently when he urged Mr. Assad to change his policies, while omitting the usual call for him to leave office.http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/25/opinion/sunday/shifting-realities-in-syria.html