Interesting: Syrian Rebel Commanders Fear Aftermath of Airstrikes

[cali]

Syrian rebel commanders said in interviews Tuesday along the Turkish border that while the U.S. is moving toward possible air strikes on Syrian targets, Washington hasn't delivered any weapons it has pledged to the Free Syrian Army.

The U.S. and its allies also haven't coordinated any attack plans with the Supreme Military Council, which oversees the activities of dozens of rebel military commands

The dynamic is breeding fears within the rebel command that Mr. Assad and his top lieutenants will survive the American strikes and seek to rally support inside Syria, and across the broader Muslim and Arab world, for resistance against the U.S. and its coalition.

"If it's a major strike, we are with it. If it is minor, it won't matter at all," said Col. Ahmed Hamada, a senior SMC commander based just inside Syria's border with Turkey. "The regime might use the attacks and say: 'we are victims.' They could grow more powerful."

Mr. Hamada and other Supreme Military Command officials said they were also concerned that Islamist groups battling Mr. Assad's government, some with ties to al Qaeda, are better armed and funded that the Free Syrian Army, which seeks to build a secular state.

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324906304579039380265339524.html

[GeorgeGist]

1. Shot Across the Bow ...

sounds like Col. Hamada won't be 'with it'.

[David__77]

2. I had thought that this "show across the bow" would help the government on net.

I guess it depends. But everything is being phrased as if it's a 100 missiles or so and then that's it. The Syrians have had days to clear out equipment and people. So, what's the point of all this again, from the perspective of the administration? I think they're walking it back more than a bit.