Summary: Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi (<a href="https://twitter.com/ajaltamimi">@ajaltamimi</a>) and Phillip Smyth (<a href="https://twitter.com/PhillipSmyth">@phillipsmyth</a>) discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria and profile the shabiha, pro Assad militias. <br> <br> Check out the two updates from Syria Comment which formed the basis of this conversation: "<a href="http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/major-rebel-factions-drop-exiles-go-full-islamist/">Islamist Groups Declare Opposition to National Coalition and US Strategy</a>" and "<a href="http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/aymenn-al-tamimi-speaks-to-ali-kayali-and-profiles-the-syrian-resistance-a-pro-assad-militia-force/">A Case Study of "The Syrian Resistance," a Pro-Assad Militia Force</a>" <br>
