Syrian regime forces backed by Russian airstrikes seized control of a rebel stronghold on Sunday, the latest in a series of gains in northwestern Latakia province aided by Moscow’s intervention in the conflict. The advances in the heartland of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite minority put the regime within striking distance of neighboring Idlib, the only province almost entirely under rebel control. Just a few months ago, rebel fighters were advancing through the Idlib countryside toward Latakia and looked poised to deal more blows to the regime. But the Russian intervention in late September has given the regime’s military the upper hand there. These gains have given the regime a stronger hand ahead of peace talks that had been set for this week in Geneva, if they go ahead as planned. “All of the regime and Russian plan and all of the operations that the Russian officers are overseeing […]