So which one is is? Lost most of the country or controls most of the country?

Sly's piece is full of bull as she relies solely on 'rumors' and Abu Emad! 

"... Indeed, Assad now appears stronger than he did two years ago. Backed by Russia, Iran and volunteer militias from Lebanon and Iraq, his forces have ejected rebels from significant chunks of territory in the heart of Syria over the past year. Tuesday’s voting leveraged his military gains into an assertion of political authority.....

But the live footage of enthusiastic voters proclaiming their love for Assad in various locations nonetheless served as a reminder that he still controls much of the country, along with the loyalties of at least some of its citizens..."