It does not look good for peace in Syria anytime soon.  The US and Russia have failed to set a date for proposed peace talks, and government troops have retaken a rebel held town.

The first Western journalists to reach the city of Qusair say it is in ruins and there are few civilians around.  Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad now patrol the streets in tanks after laying siege to the area for more than two weeks.  The opposition says there are hundreds of people who need food, water, and medical attention, and is urging the government to allow the International Red Cross into Qusair to deal with humanitarian needs.

Meanwhile, Russian and US officials met in Geneva to try to arrange a date and other details of the conference, but were unable to agree on who would attend.  They’ll try again at the end of June, but nothing is scheduled to include the Syrian government and Rebel groups.

And, French President Francois Hollande is pushing for deeper international involvement in Syria, a day after his Foreign Minister released what France calls growing proof of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Civil War.  France backs the rebels and, with the UK, has been pushing to sell arms to groups opposed to Assad.