question of how that ends and the transition itself can is very important in our view the durability and stability of a union need syria and stability and durability of the outcome of going forward. that's why we are not presupposing how that occurs. i think it's clear that we see no further role for the assad regime longer term. ed: does that mean more u.s. military action? u.s. hints at tougher stance on syria. rhetoric or military action coming from the trump administration? or is this just public pressure with allies like britain to get the assad family out. remember, assad's father was in power before he was. the other point he makes about stability was very important. you may want to get assad out. that may be a good objective short-term. but long-term who takes over. is isis going to expand their power in syria? it's a mess there right now.