"Over the past two years, I’ve interviewed various people who tried to become leaders, such as: Abdul-Jabbar Akaidi, Salim Idriss and Jamal Maarouf. They all talked about unifying the opposition but none succeeded." So it is funny. After conceding that he has been wrong all along, he then proceeds to promote yet another hope for all Syrian rebel groups: "He’s a lean man, tight as a coiled spring, with a thin beard and eyes hardened by three years of war that killed two of his brothers". David Ignatius: the House of Saud can't be prouder of you.