0 this argument that somehow we had gone in earlier or heavier in some fashion, that the tragedy and chaos taking place in syria wouldn t be taking place i think is wrong. one of the challenges we have is that some of the most effective fighters within the opposition have been those who frankly are not particularly friendly towards the united states of america. and arming them willy-nilly is not a good recipe for meeting american interests over the long-term. but in that anticipated meeting between the president and vladimir putin both men took pains to make it look like they get along, even joking, stiffly, of course. the president s main objective with putin, convince him that the u.s. wasn t trying to overthrow the entire syrian government, only assad. we compared notes on president putin s expertise in looks like the russians blocked any mention of assad having to go. and they haven t been able to agree on when any geneva conference would again. i think we re looking at augus