WHITE HELMETS LOSE FUNDING AFTER POOR "FALSE FLAG" PERFORMANCE IN DUMA

Did the White helmets "jump the shark" with their latest weak performance in Duma?

In a major tragedy for amateur dramatics, Syria's leading troupe of "false flag" actors, the world famous "White Helmets" have lost their American funding. 

The set-back for the 3000-member group comes after their recent weak performance in the town of Duma, which convinced no-one, not even the Neocon hacks back in the USA who were shilling for a war based on their performance.

Theatre (of war) critics lambasted the production "Assad Gas Attack III: Water Bottles to the Rescue" for its sketchy realism, lack of real passion, and poor attention to detail. 

Waspish drama critics have not been kind to the White Helmets.

The decision by the US State Department is a marked turnaround from just two months ago, when the US government was still hanging around the group's stage door with stars in its eyes, despite growing criticism of their performances, especially from the Russian media. 

Less than two months ago the State Department hosted members of the White Helmets at Foggy Bottom. At the time, the humanitarian group was showered with praise for saving lives in Syria.

"Our meetings in March were very positive. There were even remarks from senior officials about long-term commitments even into 2020. There were no suggestions whatsoever about stopping support," Raed Saleh, the group's leader, told CBS News.

Now they are not getting any U.S funding as the State Department says the support is "under active review." The U.S had accounted for about a third of the group's overall funding.

"This is a very worrisome development," said an official from the White Helmets.

Possibly the only solution is for the White Helmets is to use their diminishing financial resources to send key members back to acting school. 

But even this may not be enough to win over critics and restore funding, as there is growing pressure within the US government to cut back on "arts spending" in Syria, as the country is increasingly seen as a Russian area of influence.