Syria is fraught on so many levels. For journalists, it's a challenge of trying to capture the context and complexity of a would-be revolution trickled over 14 months. For the US and its allies, it's what to do next as the UN declares its own ceasefire 'incomplete' and calls the regime's moves to curb violence 'insufficient' (per AJE). A new report by top Syria analyst Peter Harling says President Bashar Al Assad is increasingly comfortable, sensing that he can play for time and maintain his hold. In the more regionally resonant words of one Lebanese official, behind closed doors, 'Assad can run circles around Kofi Annan.'