Clinton to Obama: "Do not do Assad any favors, without getting anything in return..."

Source

Akiva Eldar in Haaretz, here

"... (Iraq) Assad will have to promise that Syria will shut its doors to Shi'ite and international jihad forces seeking to take the place of the American army....
However, he asked that it be made clear to the incoming administration in Washington and the outgoing government in Israel that it would be advisable to lower their expectations regarding Damascus' ties to Iran...."