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Daesh should go first, deal with Assad next

Iran and Russia are clear about how to deal with Daesh and end the conflict in Syria. Both allies agree that Syrian President Bashar Al Assad should stay if terror is to be defeated. They have repeatedly snubbed efforts by the West to force regime change in Damascus. Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei in Tehran, the first such meeting in eight years. The objective is to work more closely with the Iranians and synchronise a strategy to take down Daesh.
Tehran and Moscow's backing for the regime in Syria means the United States, Europe and the Arab states may have to rethink their plan to dump Assad and focus on Daesh. The Syrian leader has survived the uprising against him for four years even at the cost of his country staring at destruction. Realpolitik demands that Russia and the West should set aside the issue of Assad for the time being and coordinate their strengths to defeat the bigger evil in the form of Daesh.
There is, however, a silverlining for the West as Iran and Russia have hinted at transition in Syria through elections following a ceasefire. In other words, there is no room for a dictated settlement, as far as showing the door to Assad is concerned.
Russia's renewed involvement in the region and its military operation against Daesh makes a convincing case for the West to negotiate with the regime in Damascus, and work out a long-term political and geostrategic settlement. That is the only way to go if the menace of terrorism spilling across the frontiers is to be checked. Assad should be seen as a lesser evil, and one who can be dealt with by his own people if and when recourse to ballot is possible. Washington had hinted at this option earlier.
Plunging the region into war and uncertainty by opening two fronts against terror is not an option. Consensus must be reached on Assad's role or exit in a future Syria. But before that, Daesh has to be wiped out. The West and Russia should find common ground before it's too late.