When is a red line more of a grey area?

[eppie]

But why root for the rebels, since the rebels aren't a single faction but multiple factions?

The most organized, devoted, energetic, and well financed "rebels" are likely to be the Al Q and Salafist/Islamist sorts.

How is helping them in America's best interest? I am dying to know.

That is what i am saying. It isn't. The us ( lets phrase it differently) is against Assad, but helping the rebels might backfire on them if it means we get another islamic state like egypt.