I'm not sure what comrade is advocating but I advocate financial assistance and arms support for select factions of the syrian rebel group. Preferably we work with our allies in the region to vet and train such rebels. The war is clearly going to drag on for a while, if we can find the a moderate or progressive or a faction that does not commit wanton human rights abuses, we should be arming and training them in turkey and sending them back in to not only get rid of assad, but to muscle out AQ.
I also think we should set up drones over Syria. If our nuts end up in a vice we can use them for targeted strikes, but primarily it would give us info to feed to our rebel faction, and help monitor what's going on in country. No american lives at risk either.