Just found and posted related article:
U.S. asks Syria to stop militants: Official (US delegation met w & warned Assad personally)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1227194/posts
I think Assad is being given a choice: choose as Khaddaffi did, or end up like Saddam.
I think you nailed it. The President is letting Syria know they need to play nice, or end up a parking lot.