SOURCES IN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAVE NOW CONFIRMED THAT IRANIAN TROOPS ARE NOW FIGHTING ALONG SIDE OF LOYAL GOVERNMENT TROOPS IN THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR. ADDITIONALLY, LARGE NUMBERS OF HEZBOLLAH FIGHTERS HAVE JOINED IN THE FIGHT IN SUPPORT OF THE ASSAD REGIME. PRESIDENT OBAMA'S RELUCTANCE TO AID THE REBEL FORCES IN THE BEGINNING OF THE CONFLICT MAY NOW BE A FACTOR IN THIS WIDENING CONFLICT.