http://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pg.-291-Pgs.-287-293-JW-v-DOD-and-State-14-812-DOD-Release-2015-04-10-final-version11.pdf http://www.jud

http://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pg.-291-Pgs.-287-293-JW-v-DOD-and-State-14-812-DOD-Release-2015-04-10-final-version11.pdf http://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pg.-... "The West, Gulf Countries, and Turkey support the opposition; while Russia, China and Iran support the regime." "If the situation unravels there is the possibility of establishing a declared or undeclared salafist principality in Eastern Syria (Hasaka and Der Zor), and this is exactly what the supporting powers to the opposition want, in order to isolate the syrian regime, which is considered the strategic depth of the shia expanison (Iraq and Iran)." Released during a FOIA lawsuit (on special forces work in Syria). ["JW v Defense State 00812 court order"]. http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-sues-departments-defense-state-records-benghazi-briefings-congressional-leaders/ http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judic... http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Judicial_Watch http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Judicial_Watch http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/08/01/exclusive-dozens-of-cia-operatives-on-the-ground-during-benghazi-attack/ http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/08/01/exclusive-dozens-of-... Won't quote because its worth reading the whole thing for context. Associated facts (e.g. Turkey, US's equal partner, was caught running guns, Manning had [admittedly old] docs with CIA running guns to Syria) lend weight to the what was thought on Capitol Hill at the time. But broadly the US and allies support Salafist elements as they are, and can be encouraged to be, opposed to Assad.