“I would toss the ceasefire in the trash, too.”
There is only one way for this particular war to end, really end. One side has got to beat the other. Unfortunately, because of the culture there will be an orgy of killing by the victors. This is unavoidable regardless of who wins. One reason why I would like the US to stay out of it is the inevitable bloodbath that attends any victory by Islamic fighters. Our “subtle power,” “nuanced,” “smart diplomacy” mavens are babes in the woods when it comes to dealing with people who are not university professors.
The path to minimum death is to help Assad win. He had no problem with the Christians. Note that the Christians are supporting Assad. We are on the wrong side.
The alternative to an Assad win is turning Syria into a permanently failed state that will be a hotbed of radicalism.
I would leave, ask the Russians to take over, provide intel on everything we have there and wish ‘em the best of luck.
Everything we’ve touched in the ME has turned to crap because we don’t have ruthlessness to make peace, or at least order, stick.