Every day images and reports from reporters in Syria show increased devastation and death (http://www.aljazeera.com/). The world is intent on ignoring the chaos of bloodshed and paralysis spreads in both the East and West. Europe is prisoner to its economic crisis with the UK falling in stagnation and the US close behind unable to act due to the political stalemate. Russia is free to act because it has a dictatorial government that is so paranoid it even puts punk rockers on trial for blasphemy against Putin. Russia kills critics and reporters, so it is in good company with al-Assad (http://en.wikipedia.org/...).
It is unlikely that any intervention can stop the violence in Syria. While a no-fly zone would even the playing field somewhat, Russia and China will not allow it and NATO is unlikely to act given the political paralysis at home. Weapons continue to flow into the arms of both sides of the conflict, but the Syrian Free Army cannot equal the Assad regime's firepower without tanks, heavy weapons or munitions experts. The type of tactics used by the Mujahideen against the Russians in Afghanistan have failed in recent years with the exception of Sunni fighters in Iraq who have perfected roadside bombs to disable and transform US and Iraqi troop tactics, though this has hardly produced a change in the balance of power.
Turkey is unlikely now to intervene given the promotion of perks and promises to the Kurds along the southern Turkish border. Turkey has recently stepped up attacks on the Kurdish PKK in Iraqi territory as a threat to Assad over his use of the Kurds along the Turkish border. While the West is in checkmate, the opponents of Assad die and both Russia and China see their policy of isolation of the West and promotion of their clients as a success. Minorities within both these countries can expect the kind of response Assad has given his enemies to be visited on them if they rebel. All Western posturing over Tianamen Square is colored with Syrian blood. See earlier post for background: http://www.dailykos.com/....