$500-million [U.S.] program to train anti-Islamic State fighters appears stalled - LA Times
▻http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-us-syria-20150503-story.html
Partly as a result, several Persian Gulf powers and Turkey have begun arming the Army of Conquest, an umbrella opposition group that reportedly includes an #Al_Qaeda affiliate and other Islamist groups as well as “moderate” fighters. The Arab-backed force has dealt tactical setbacks to Assad’s troops in northwestern Syria in recent weeks, putting pressure on his government.