christiane amanpour, bobby ghosh, and aaron david miller, vice president of the wilson center. here. feeling that assad's -- the europeans lifted the arms embargo. the russians saying they're going to send defense systems to syria, as well. the rebels reluctant to join the peace talks. i know you've been talking to all sides here. where do you see this going next? >> i've been speaking to fighters in a town strategically located. if the assad regime wins -- >> they have been turning it. >> they have, with the help of hezbollah, which has been a huge, new introduction into this war. hezbollah fighting on behalf of the outside regime aided by iran. rebels barely hanging on. i talked to two russian officials, whose policy appears to be putin's policy saying to shove it to the united states, stick it to the united states, spending these advancements out. saying, don't even think about intervening because we now have these huge surface-to-air missiles going to syria, to assad regime. despite pleas, practically on bended knee from john kerry, from the israeli prime minister, benjamin