A THOUGHT FOR NOW - THE BATTLE FOR ALEPPO; HOW DOES THE VIEWER KNOWS WHICH OF THE PARTIES ARE 'PLAYING' THEM?

So, how can we really know the extent of the tragedy which is afflicting the people of Aleppo, when there is such a high risk of the opposing parties feeding us with misinformation, lies, half truths and constructed truths?

We know and we can understand that civilians are being killed and maimed, be they children, women, or old or young men.

We are shown isolated young children being clawed out of collapsed building, and we see empty streets or streets with a few  young men moving about, but there seems to be an absence - mercifully - of the widespread slaughter we have seen when the opposition forces, especially Daesh, placed and set off their bombs in government controlled areas; sometimes areas which the rebels have been evacuated from, or areas where the rebels have not previously targeted, such as Latakia.

And, why is it that we never or rarely see rebel casualties in these areas where the government forces and the Russians are accused of committing "barbarous" attacks?  Are there no rebels in these areas, and, if there are none, how is it that these areas are spoken of as "rebel controlled areas"?

Something is clearly amiss here, which probably include a conspiracy between the U.S., France and Britain,  popular western media, the rebels, and, probably, some of the non-governmental organisations involved in Syria, in general, and Aleppo, in particular. It might actually involve a deliberate attempt by these agencies to paint a bad situation as being extremely bad, and to further demonise the Syrian Government and its Russian and allied supporters, in a sofar, unsuccessful attempt to stop the battle for Aleppo, and thereby save the rebel forces occupying eastern Aleppo.

If the west is so concerned about the safety and welfare of the civilians who are besieged in eastern Aleppo, then why is Britain, France and America not urging the rebels to allow the people of that part of Aleppo to make their way towards the government controlled western sector of Aleppo, or otherwise evacuate the enclave?

I suspect that the answer is very simple; it is because, if they were to do so, and the rebels listen to them, they would lose their civilian hostages, and leave themselves open to being attacked, unhindered, by the Government forces. The west would also lose some of its bargaining cards in the game of chess being played in Syria, with both the Syrians and their country.

And so it is, that, it is understandable that the first reaction to a picture or video of child being rescued from a fallen building in Aleppo, or injured or killed, should or might rightly be one of compassion and despair. However, the second reaction should be a considered analysis of the picture, the report, who is responsible for it and what are the likely motives for airing it.

Nothing, or probably very few things emanating from Syria and the Syrian proxy war is as it might appear, or should be taken at face value.