From The Long War Journal:Eastern Syria becoming a new al Qaeda haven.
US intelligence officials are concerned that Syria is becoming an al Qaeda haven, as the terror group becomes increasingly intertwined with Ba’athist groups operating from Iraq's neighbor to the west.
Al Qaeda has refocused its efforts to build an infrastructure in eastern Syria after its network in Iraq was decimated by Iraqi and US security forces from 2007 to 2009, and now the organization is partnering with former Ba’athists from Saddam Hussein’s regime.
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My Comment: Even with these developments, the U.S. State Department is still trying to reach some accommodation with the Syrian Government. I guess the leaders in Syria have other priorities.