Emotional reporting. Syrian rebels are heroes whether they win or lose

Look at the emotional reporting about Syrian rebels. If they take a town they are heroes and if they lose a town they are heroes for managing to hold it as long as they did.  From Anne Barnard, who is unconsollable today: " The rebels, who had held Qusayr for more than a year, fought for more than two weeks — longer than expected..." Longer than expected by whom, Ms Barnard?