Wanted to rush right in for strikes against Assad after the gas attack. Looks like they did not want the American public to have time to see this stuff before they attacked. Now that this stuff is going mainstream news the public will be better informed on this.

Our intelligence obviously had to have known about who some of the insurgent rebels are.

Would be better off supporting Assad even though he rules with an iron hand.

From what I read Assad is a moderate Allawi who tolerates other religions.