In public speeches, President Assad acknowledged that his forces suffered a crippling manpower problem that meant they would have to give up some areas in order to protect more important ones.
The stage seemed set for a steady erosion of the parts he controls, with his diminished domain coming under increasing pressure - perhaps to the point of collapse.
He had already pulled all the obvious rabbits out of his hat nearly three years ago when he was similarly strapped and on the brink.