Steven Cook skeptically surveys recent reporting claiming to have found them:
Let’s keep in mind that Assad has every incentive to continue to fight: He has no place to go (unless you believe rumors [that Assad could go into exile in Russia]). For Assad the fight is and always was about securing his family. Even as the [Free Syrian Army (FSA)] has grown more capable, it remains no match for the Syrian military, which has proved to be surprisingly resilient. Finally, it seems that Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran will continue to stick by him, which means that money and arms will continue to flow to the military and shabiha. Under these circumstances, it is unlikely that Assad will give up.
Brian Whitaker cautions against interpreting any of this as a reason for more "decisive" US action:
Amid the continuing horrific news from Syria, it is very tempting to say that "we" ought to be doing more. But we shouldn't assume that doing more will necessarily help, and we should try to distinguish between the needs of the Syrian people and the games that states play amongst themselves. Syrians have a right to shape their own future and will do so – if only we let them.
The Dish 