I think Ciezadlo presents basically one side of what is happening. Assad is a ruthless blood-thirsty dictator as was his father. Many of his opponents are not much better but their weapons are not as lethal as his and so they come across as more benign. Some of his opponents are secular and progressive people but many are really blood-thirsty jihadists many of whom are not Syrians. The percentages of each group are debatable. Many of Assad's followers are Alawites, Shiites, Christians, and other minorities who have suffered at the hands of jihadists and are very fearful of these jihadists among Assad's opponents. Think of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917 Russia where many elements were against the Czar but eventually the most blood-thirsty group, the Bolsheviks, ended up on top.

The violence on BOTH sides needs to be condemned and an inclusive comprehensive political solution is the only answer.