Is US-Russian Diplomacy Prolonging Syria's Civil War?

When the US was threatening force against Syria, fighting by both the government and the rebels dropped off.  Now it's increasing again. And there's no guarantee that Bashar al-Assad will get rid of his chemical weapons according to the ambitious timetable set by the US and Russia. What if he doesn't?  Will the US attack then, despite Russia's opposition?  If Assad does meet the deadlines, will that mean peace for the Syrian people? We look at these and other questions about a short-term lull in what's really a long-term crisis.