Syrian dictator Basher al-Assad traveled to the Kremlin to spend some face-to-face time with his new ally puppet master Vladimir Putin. On leaving that meeting, Putin continued to push his might while eroding America’s influence in Syria. He made an offer to the Syrian rebels — some of them presumably backed by the United States — an offer they will find hard to refuse. Putin extended a Russian grace; if the rebels fight the Islamic State, they will receive backing from Russia. If they don’t, well, we can only presume that Russian bombs will continue to rain down upon them. Putin said, recounting his conversation with Assad, “I asked him, ‘How would you feel if we were to find in Syria an armed opposition, but one that is ready to counter and really fight against terrorism, against [Islamic State]? How would you feel if we supported their efforts in the fight against terrorism just as we are supporting the Syrian army?’ He said, ‘I’m fine with that.’” In essence, Putin is telling the rebels to lay down their weapons against a brutal dictator and become his cannon fodder against a greater evil. As for the Obama administration, it’s probably just happy that someone else is dealing with the Islamic State.