n a bombshell revelation, both literally and figuratively, the Washington Post reported this week that weapons were reaching the Syrian opposition, and that the process was being partly coordinated by the United States. This represents a fundamentally new stage in the Syrian conflict, and in Washington’s approach to it. The article, citing Syrian opposition activists and American and foreign officials, noted that the Syrian rebels “have begun receiving significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks,” and that the effort was financed by Persian Gulf nations. Among the early signs that the arms were making a difference was that opposition forces had overrun a military base in Rastan, killing 23 soldiers. As one opposition figure put it, “Large shipments have got through. Some areas are loaded with weapons.” [Link]