U.S. policy may be shifting towards some accommodation with Damascus and its allies. The U.S. might be seeking terms to end the war without hurting long term U.S. interests.
http://www.debka.com/article/23512/...-lose-Qalamoun-strongholds-in-crushing-defeat
http://www.debka.com/article/23512/...-lose-Qalamoun-strongholds-in-crushing-defeat