Help for Syrian Rebels: a little too late?

Clearly, the US and Saudi Arabia have several conflicts of interests as well as many more pressing mutual interests,  but the outcome of the Syria Civil War represents an area where the US and Saudi Arabia share common ground.  Much was discussed on President Obama’s visit to the Saudi Kingdom, but a potential shift in his Syrian policies was largely overlooked given issues those happening in Ukraine.  The Obama Administration is now considering allowing shipments of new air defense systems to Syrian rebels.  Clearly, this development would have been most effective when the Syrian rebels were making ground and their efforts were only being hampered by Syrian President Assad’s airpower.  The unfortunate truth is that Assad’s allies have helped him retake the momentum, thus the rebels likely need far more military support now than they did.  What side wins will be a trivial matter should the devastation in Syria continue.