Moscow rift with Assad

RUSSIA is discovering that it is losing influence over Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as he grows increasingly confident about his survival.

In an effort to recover leverage, Russia is refusing to provide air support to enable Assad to begin an assault on the last rebel bastion of Idlib, according to Russian lawmakers and Kremlin advisers.

The Russian stance, aimed at reinforcing its efforts to establish so-called de-escalation zones to strengthen a cease-fire in Syria, is creating a growing rift with Assad.

Washington Post