.. but then that means the Iranian and Russian intelligence services were caught cold

Many reports are now circulating that Assad was warned by both Russians and Iranians about what was brewing in Idlib many moons ago. Bashar didn't buy it since he fantasised that Gulf States will look after him (rather than Russians/Iranians/Chinese) .. silly boy (eyes roll).

Still, it's good that he attended academic award ceremony for his son in Moscow when he moved his family there a fortnight ago and returning to Syria .. and then soon to leave Damascus thereafter. I suppose he isn't *that* silly after all. I like the way Russkies did a decoy responder signal when he landed in Hmeimim etc. All thought the plane has crashed : )