Greg Myrie

And despite all this fighting in Syria, President Bashar Assad tried to keep a low profile. He wasn't saying much. He didn't want to get involved in the surrounding conflicts. Now, Assad has been accused of widespread abuses and atrocities since Syria's civil war began in 2011. But the war has been on a low simmer for the past few years, and Assad wanted to keep it that way.

And despite all this fighting in Syria, President Bashar Assad tried to keep a low profile. He wasn't saying much. He didn't want to get involved in the surrounding conflicts. Now, Assad has been accused of widespread abuses and atrocities since Syria's civil war began in 2011. But the war has been on a low simmer for the past few years, and Assad wanted to keep it that way.

And despite all this fighting in Syria, President Bashar Assad tried to keep a low profile. He wasn't saying much. He didn't want to get involved in the surrounding conflicts. Now, Assad has been accused of widespread abuses and atrocities since Syria's civil war began in 2011. But the war has been on a low simmer for the past few years, and Assad wanted to keep it that way.

So I put that question to Paul Salem. He's based in Beirut with the Middle East Institute. He drew a series of connections that followed the Hamas attack on Israel last year.

So I put that question to Paul Salem. He's based in Beirut with the Middle East Institute. He drew a series of connections that followed the Hamas attack on Israel last year.

So I put that question to Paul Salem. He's based in Beirut with the Middle East Institute. He drew a series of connections that followed the Hamas attack on Israel last year.

So the rebels saw Syria's allies weakened and distracted, and they launched this offensive against the Syrian government troops. And the speed of this rebel advance has really surprised most everyone.

So the rebels saw Syria's allies weakened and distracted, and they launched this offensive against the Syrian government troops. And the speed of this rebel advance has really surprised most everyone.

So the rebels saw Syria's allies weakened and distracted, and they launched this offensive against the Syrian government troops. And the speed of this rebel advance has really surprised most everyone.

You know, it's not clear. The rebel force is known as HTS. It's an Islamist group once linked to al-Qaeda. It's cut those ties, but it still wants to establish an Islamist state. The group isn't claiming territory as fast as it was a few days ago, and it could become stretched too thin if the Syrian forces can regroup.

You know, it's not clear. The rebel force is known as HTS. It's an Islamist group once linked to al-Qaeda. It's cut those ties, but it still wants to establish an Islamist state. The group isn't claiming territory as fast as it was a few days ago, and it could become stretched too thin if the Syrian forces can regroup.

You know, it's not clear. The rebel force is known as HTS. It's an Islamist group once linked to al-Qaeda. It's cut those ties, but it still wants to establish an Islamist state. The group isn't claiming territory as fast as it was a few days ago, and it could become stretched too thin if the Syrian forces can regroup.

That's really an open question. Paul Salem says Syria's allies are providing some help.

That's really an open question. Paul Salem says Syria's allies are providing some help.

That's really an open question. Paul Salem says Syria's allies are providing some help.

But he stresses that this help is expected to be limited.

But he stresses that this help is expected to be limited.

But he stresses that this help is expected to be limited.

Sure thing, Leila.

Sure thing, Leila.