The Assad Solution in Syrian is Staring us Right in the Face

Hawaida Saad and Andrew Kramer's News Analysis Over Putin's Gambit is one of these two handed economists' views that Harry Truman so derided as President when given a "on the one hand versus on the other" analysis that left him without a clear path forward.  For example:

"For now, at least, the United States is pressing for Russian cooperation on peace talks. Russia has agreed in principle to push for talks but dismisses most of the Syrian opposition as terrorists, and it remains unclear if Moscow will agree to talks with a new opposition body formed in Saudi Arabia this month. Also unclear is if Russia will agree to the departure of Mr. Assad in some transitional process — a condition the opposition insists on."

Leaves the reader as hung up as Secretary of State John Kerry.  What is it that keeps Kerry from negotiating with Russia and Iran to contain and protect Assad in his Alawite enclave? This would leave the remainder of Syria for Sunnis to determine among Daesh and others and do much to clarify the allies' fight against ISIS. Also its a face saver for Putin to keep out of the contested areas of Syria.

See "Utopia" for a break up of Syria and Iraq perspective