a concise summary and analysis of the Syrian battle scene

Hasan `Ullayq of Al-Akhbar is one of the best journalists I know.  My girlfriend Michele makes fun of me because I avidly follow his TV appearances.  He has the ability to amass information on a subject and to analyze it from different perspectives without allowing his passions to interfere in his analysis.  He is very precise in his use of language and careful about claims he makes.  His articles in Al-Akhbar are highly anticipated and his reporting is rather understated--unusual in the Arab media.  Here, he provides a concise and precise summary of developments on the battle field in Syria and how things turned in favor the regime.