A strategy forms to combat the Islamic State

WASHINGTON, DC: The US and its allies, after several years of missteps, finally seem to be framing a strategy for combating the Islamic State militarily in Syria, even as they continue to pursue a political settlement with Damascus.

The Syrian nightmare is far from over, and supporters of President Bashar al-Assad continue to insist that the regime will survive the turmoil. But US policy now appears to be working in tandem with Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, a rare alignment -- although Iran remains a potential spoiler.