For Assad, U.S. plan will weaken one foe but bolster others

BEIRUT (Reuters) - By striking Islamic State in Syria, the United States would be weakening one of President Bashar al-Assad's major enemies. But the new U.S. strategy may still unnerve Assad by helping other opponents determined to overthrow him.

The U.S. strategy for tackling Islamic State in Syria is unlikely to yield quick results. Unlike in Iraq, where U.S. air strikes were able to quickly roll back some Islamic State advances, Washington has no strong partner on the ground.