I didn’t realize that this article is 3 months old. But given that the Syrian Opposition has accepted an invitation to talks by Saudi Arabia it is important to note it.
Russia and Saudi Arabia failed in talks to overcome their differences on the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“A key reason behind the emergence of [ISIL] was the actions of Assad who directed his arms at his nation, not Islamic State [of Iraq and the Levant],” Jubeir told a news conference after talks with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“Assad is part of the problem, not part of the solution to the Syrian crisis. There is no place for Assad in the future of Syria,” he said.Source: Al Jazeera English
I will add that the Syrian Opposition has now agreed to participate in talks by Saudi Arabia. In the bigger picture of regional politics, I am still unsure of the dynamics. It seems a hopeful sign in the the Syrian Opposition is willing to engage at all. Or a broadening of confict through proxy.