I have the idea that sooner or later the West is going to have to make a 180° turn and side with Assad in Syria, or at least accept a solution that keeps him in power. But it will be very interesting to see how they get the Saudis around to that stance - and what will be left of not only Syria but also Lebanon and Iraq by the time they do it. And with Turkey looking increasingly unpredictable, it might become an even bigger mess - not that Turkey would degenerate so badly, but having a strong Turkey would help to resolve the Syrian mess.

There's certainly a gigantic opportunity for Iran, if they step in and take it.