Since it does not seem obvious at this point to this author and the G&M, allow me to put it as simple as I can.  The key to stopping the slaughter in Syria is to put a stop to the bankrolling and weapons supply to the mercenary al-Quaeda off-shoot army hired to create chaos and topple Assad in the first place.  This had nothing to do with humanitarian motives despite those lies used to justify the destruction of another Middle East country.  Thankfully, with Russia's help the Syrian Government has prevented the plunder of yet another Middle East country by the US and it's corporate vultures.