http://www.newsweek.com/aleppo-syria-assad-victor-530609

https://www.rt.com/news/369908-aleppo-militants-blocked-civilians-kerry/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38275553

After the beginning of the Battle of Aleppo between Syrian Army forces and rebels in 2012, victory seems at hand. The city, which had been split in half for some time, with intense fighting between Syrian Military and Rebel forces. Following Iranian and Russian support of Assad's forces, control of the city began to shift greatly in the Syrian government's favor. As of December 2016, Aleppo is almost entirely in Government hands.

During the battle, Assad's Forces have worked with backing from Iranian militas, Hebzollah, and Russian Air Force. On the opposing side, Syrian Rebels, the Al-Nusra Front, and various "moderate" Islamist groups including ISIS, have fought back with US and Israeli support. Fighters with the Kurdish YPG and Female Fighters have also played a role as an independent force.

Meanwhile, the Syrian War continues in the countryside. ISIS forces have begun to overrun Palmyra, one of Syria's oldest cities. In the North, Turkish forces have recently crossed the border "to end Assad's rule" in an act of aggression, but have been reportedly stopped by Russian air power. Meanwhile, fighters from Rojava and the Kurdish Resistance continue to fight Turkish-backed ISIS forces, and seek to establish a Kurish state from Syrian/Iraqi/Turkish land.

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Opinion Time: This is great news, or at least far better than the alternative. While US attemots to end the war have endes in the biggest humiliation to America in years - after all, supplying ISIS and other rebels and then attempting to fight them as well as the government - the introduction of Russian Air Power has decisively turned the conflict in favor of Assad. In this case, I have to say that Russia is in the right; any "Moderate" rebels have long given way to Islamic extremists, and Assad is a Secular ruler. President-Elect Trump's friendship with Russia and vow to cut funding to the Rebels is a very good sign.

At the same time, Turkish aggression against Syria and its now known support of ISIS is worrying to say the least, following a failed coup and President (or Sultan) Edogan's islamification of Turkey, and threats against the EU.

The struggle of the Kurdish YPG is admirable, as the Kurdish people have long faced genocide from Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. The Kurdish resistance is an old-school guerilla movement of Kurdish Communists, known to be very Anti-Islamic and famed for their Female soldiers and a growing volunteer movement from around the world. While considered a terrorist group by the US (in a misguided view), the Kurdish are probably the only actually good force in the War.

As it is, seeing Turkey's aggression checked by a potential US-Russian alliance, Assad's victory, and the rise of a Kurdish state is a great outcome for the war. While peace will not come overnight, one can hope that Assad can retain power, and see a possible victory for the Kurds.