purely through the use of air power we re in the war today. when the rebels started taking more territory from the assad regime, he took to the skies. no deterrent for that. created situation where syria out of his control would be unliveable. that s why uses chemical attacks on population centers, to ensure unliveable, can t be managed and struggle to be free. i had colonel on who expressed skepticism that he was positive it was assad regime responsible for the chemical weapons because he said it s loser s weapon, if you re winning, why use it. others said the same. used it over 170 times the last years, usually in micro battlefield to change or sway things. make inroads on a certain offensive or defend against a rebel offensive.