A growing number of Alawites, an offshoot sect of Shiite Islam to which the Assad family belongs, are alarmed enough to distance themselves from the ruling clan.

This may be true, but I think misinterpreted. They’re distancing themselves, but not because they’re disillusioned with Assad. It’s because they think that Assad is going down, and they’re trying to avoid being slaughtered wholesale when the rebels take over.

And who cares, really. The “rebels” are no prize package, let the murderous muslem barbarians of both sides murder each other to the last man.

Hagel and Kerry

p.s. in Syria ALL are the enemies of the US, and the brothers of Obama.