sanction Russia for its support of the Assad Regime and killing of rebels in Syria

More international pressure must be asserted against Russian President Putin to exit from Syria so there can be success in ending the war. As Syrian President Bashar al Assad& forces continue their fight to recover ground against the increasingly fratricidal rebel forces, there is little incentive for the regime, heavily backed by Iran and Russia, to concede power to its sectarian rivals at the behest of Washington, especially when the United States is already negotiating with Iran. Widespread pessimism over a functional power-sharing agreement to end the fighting has led to dramatic speculation that Syria is doomed either to break into sectarian statelets or, as Haidar articulated, revert to the status quo, with the Alawites regaining full control and the Sunnis forced back to submission.