By Barbara Starr
The killing of three top officials by an explosion on Wednesday has left Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at a "decision point," a senior U.S. official told CNN.
"From an intelligence point of view the regime has to decide: fight or flight," the senior official said.
Another senior official from the Middle East region underscored that assessment, telling CNN the attacks indicate "strong cracks in the regime."
"This is a potential tipping point," the Middle East official said.
The nature of the violence and the proximity to al-Assad's inner circle of power is causing the increased concern from American government officials in the last few days, the American source said. A second senior U.S. official concurred with that assessment.
When asked if the al-Assad regime also believes itself to be at a decision point, the U.S. official the there is at least some information to back up that belief.
Security Clearance: Your source for national security news and analysis
But the king of Jordan, whose country borders Syria, warned that despite a "tremendous blow," the regime is not going to give up.
"Damascus has shown its resilience. So I think maybe we need to keep this in perspective, although this is a blow," King Abdullah II said in an interview that aired Wednesday on CNN's Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. "I'm sure that the regime will continue to show fortitude, at least in the near future.
"I don't think we should jump to any conclusions of writing the regime off in the near future."
When Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters Wednesday that the Syrian situation is "rapidly spinning out of control," he was reflecting growing concern about the fighting having reaching the Syrian capital and growing worries about Syria's chemical weapons, officials tell CNN.
With the Syrian regime now having moved some of its chemical weapons on at least one recent occasion, the Obama administration is stepping up efforts to conduct an "assessment of intentions" of the Syrian regime to employ that deadly arsenal against its own people, according to the second senior U.S. official who has direct knowledge of the efforts.
At the same time, senior U.S. officials involved in this issue have spoken privately but directly with their Russian counterparts in the past several days to reinforce that any use of the chemical weapons by the Syrians is a so-called "red-line" for the United States.
"This would be a game changer," the official said, who declined to be identified because the sensitivity of the information.
The official emphasized that the U.S. has been watching Syria's chemical and biological weapons sites for months to determine the security of the weapons. But since Assad moved some from a facility recently, the challenge has been to figure out what, if anything, the Syrian leader plans to do with them, he said. "The movement of the chemical weapons has generated additional concern inside the U.S. government."
At a Pentagon press conference, the chief UK defense minister made it clear that both the United States and Britain want to see Russia and China weigh in.
"The regime exists at the moment because it receives tacit support from other powers in the world," said UK Secretary of State for Defense Phillip Hammond. "If those powers are sending clear messages about the limits of their tolerance for the activities of the regime, that will be an effective constraint on the activities of the regime. So our diplomacy has to focus on getting those who have the greatest influence with the regime to ensure that it acts responsibly in relation to chemical weapons."
One challenge is to define inside the Obama administration the specific terms of what the red line may be. Officials have suggested it's the "employment" of weapons that is the red line, but acknowledged at that point it may be too late to stop their actual use. The U.S. is making the case to the Russian that they must once again make clear to al-Assad the implications of using chemical weapons.
"It's our sense even though the Russians are supporting the Assad regime that chemical weapons are a significant concern to them," the official said. "They understand the stakes get much higher and their moral ground gets much lower" if chemical weapons are used.
The Jordanian king also voiced concern about any scenario involving chemical weapons.
"I think at the end of the day, all of us would suffer from that. I'm sure that (the Russians) would be very supportive of international reactions, because at the end of the day, we all pay the price," Abdullah said.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Where is Syria and who is Assad? Isn't that one of the countries Romney visited this week to campaign???
Idiot
I assumed that Assad was going to step down soon. I now think that I was wrong. Assad just replaced the General who was killed and most significantly he did it very publically with a photo given to the media. As CNN's Fareed said; we truly do not what is going on in Syria btw, the govt. – the rebels – the general public and the military. It would be foolish for us to get involved until we find out exactly what is going on in Syria.
ITS OK TO MAKE A CHANGE
It is clear that demolishing the capability of Syria to respond to showering Israel with all kind of weapons in case if the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. That is it. A strategy.
LETS NOT TALK ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN LETS TALK ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN
hey lennon have you had any egg-role lately what about fortune cookie
Not that I agree what Assad's family of their humiliation to the majority of its Sunni Muslim population. What I don’t agree of why now to defragment Syria when Israel is at the spot in confronting Iran after it defeating all the Arab nations in any way you could imagine. A Humiliation would become a determination to strike back at any cost.
YOU CANNOT KILL AN IDEA
What is the world coming to? Why are we supporting terrorism in the name of democracy. You think if the government is brought down, we will all go back and live in peace. Now that we have created democracy in Iraq, let the people of Syria enjoy it eventually. I wonder who is the next western target? I am sure it is not the terrorist kingdom called Saudia Arabia.
Well......he could always go back to the North Pole and make toys with the rest of the elves.
Syria as we speak is falling to the hand of the Muslim extremists only because Bashar al-Assad stood beside Iran and ignored the majority of his Sunni people. Israel should be aware for the fight of its life because the Muslim Wahhabism and Hezbollah would join hands to bombard Israel till eternity by disregarding the life of their people. Jordan is next to fall.
Whether your prediction comes true or not, you will end up ... keep on crying.
is it true what they say: the new sandwich called the al-assaad: stale hotdog bun regular sized add one slightly burnt footlong hotdog smothered in post date relish
Its easy to see America will not get involved in this mess because if they do, it will turn into WW III. I dont blame them for not getting involved. However, I hope we get to see the syrians pull al-assad out of a sewer and ... well you know the rest.
RED LINE, YELLOW LINE and BLUE LINE !!
The "clowns" running this country, don`t have a clue (let alone what color what line should be) what their talking about. Obama, Clinton, and all those other clowns, can`t even get anything correct. Ambassador Rice, will tell you that Russia, and China are helping to protect this guy, well the purpose of any resolution put forward, should include EVERYBODY stooping the killing.They would have you beleive that the Rebels wilkl just stop the killing of the Regime forces because The president of syria tells his people to stop and go back to the barracks and just allows the killing / revenge to go on. The clowns need to ask themselves, "If you were shooting at Russian, or Chineese troops and they said if you stop shooting, and bombing us we`ll stop trying to kill you. Really? This Administration, and its representative in the United Nations would have you beleive that argument that makes no sense! I would stop shooting at you either ! The only one held resposable for killing is the regime. My question is "WILL THE REBELS STOP AS WELL" ? If you beleive anything on any issue these idiots spout, your as bright as they are. Ask Susan Rice, and Obama abiout Ruwanda. Tell everyone about Human Rights, and people being slaughtered. My thoughts regarding this Administration
Enough non-sense for a day?
Perhaps you should seriously consider a return to school, and letting go that stuff you smoke now.
It's very hard to see how the regime can come back from this.
My fear is they may be desperate. One strategy they might try would be to launch a devastating retaliation on the people of Syria, possibly using chemical weapons, in the calculation that although Russia and China would be "appalled by the violence" they would still resist outside intervention. Assad would blame the acts on "extremist in the army" or "western backed terrorists" who would be "brought to justice", thus appearing as a moderate and steady leader at least to his supporter base.
We don't nuclear bomb other people or our people. We are not the US. Don't sit at home and speculate.
Typical CNN PROPAGANDA. Mohamed J is a PAID Saudi agent.
I agree, andy. All the Western news media is right-wing, but some agencies are more right-wing than others. In the end, they all spread right-wing propaganda!
This is typical CNN PROPAGANDA!
They have NO reporters in Syria but continue to LIE to the world about the events there.
The so called "activists" are the same Murderers that were killing US Marines in Iraq and now they are killing inocent women and children in Syria. I wonder how huch the CNN reporters are being PAID by the Saudi Govt to spread this BS?
CNN has NO credibility after the LIES they have told us about Libya and Syria. The National Enquirer is more thruthful than CNN.
Mohamed Janjun is a PAID Saudi agent.
Israel will not fall no matter how many Islamic terrorists try. The God of Israel and Christianity is going to show on the last day who is the real God at the Battle of Armedden....all Israel haters will fall....book it ragheads
Lol
Why did you have to mention the christian faith. Because you're week and need someone else to do the Job for you. Remember Jesus and the Romans ?
The Muslim God is also the God of Judiasm and Christianity.
Assad still has the support of Syria's military....And I think every alawite in the military or civilian know that if Assad falls all the hatred of the sunnis towards them will boil over! And also most high ranking officials know that it's kinda late to jump ship,and they will be hunted down if the rebels win! This is gonna be a fight to the bitter end..!
Saeed....you think your puny little countries of Islam can sink our Carriers? What a joke raghead. there is enough firepower on just one of those to put you folks back to The Old Testament. your man made God cannot save you....dream on fruitcake!!
like Ethel replied I am in shock that a single mom can make $7093 in four weeks on the computer. have you read this page ..AmazingWayOnlineCash.blogspot.com
HearTheTruth.imgur.com
Imagine if rebels, secretly armed and financed by the Chinese and Russian secret services, starting targeting the U.S. government and U.S. armed forces within the U.S., and then the UN demands that the US government not use heavy weapons to defend against the attackers. Oh yeah, that would fly. U.S.A., go fu ck yourselves, and deal with your own problems.
The flaw in your fantasy is that the Syrian Government are the terrorists here - killing INNOCENT women and children -- If Assad were legitimate and not a total coward, he would go public in front of his nation instead of hiding in a deep bumker below stree level in Damascus.......
If Assad has any feelings for his wife and family, he needs to evacuate them now to a SAFE COUNTRY.....
Asma Al Assad deserves to die along with Bashar she lays in bed next the deivil knowing he sends his goons out for the blood of innocent women and children...death to the entire Al Assad family even their kids!!!!
Don't believe that the Syrian regime is going to mobilize the bio/chem weapons for use. More to the effect they are just moving them so they don't get confiscated by the rebels and used against them
Let's bomb saudi arabia , they got plenty of oil and have the worst fascist regime and ideology ever created!!!!!
Also no-one inportant would complain just a bunch of gypsie jihadists
Saudi Arabia is able to fly under the radar better than anyone i have ever seen. Them and the pro bank kabbal khazars. Wahhabis, radical sunnis, and pro bank kabbal khazars and mercs . And their gods lucifer and money.
Oh, i forgot to mention the forces in the vatican that secretly have pledged themselves to the dark side. Dark side, something something, darkside.. btw im not saying all catholics here, so read carefully.. much of it comes down to the worship of money and power though. Follow the money...
are you nuts ! why dont you bomb yourself ! this way we get rid of potheads like you !!! if your solution is bombing nations , you can go to hell , ALONE !!!
obama created all this mess just like in Egypt. When the crap hit the fan, he is the one to blame. Russia and China WILL come to Assad's help.
What if Russia and China are in on the action? The tentacles of the ill umi naughti hydra run deep...
Oh yea, thats right. Obama held a gun to the people of syrias head and told them to break into Civil War. All blame goes to him.
The "rebels" for the most part are not Syrians. Think about that for a moment.
Okay? But look where it has started, the american govenment, yet again, has stuck their nose in somewhere it doesnt belong. Doesnt mean, single handly, Obama is to blame. Look at who your Defense Secretary is, you know the man that makes all decisons as far as what conflict is US's buisness is. Pretty sure his name is Barack
isnt*
Sure, let the president hide behind his cabinet, his doj, his czars, his security agencies, etc et al, but are you starting to recognize a pattern....?
Im not trying to hide him behind the whole adminsition. My point is that there are other key players that make a single decision. Not just one man. So if your going to blame one, you gotta blame them all. Clinton, Panetta, all of them. In a democracy country, it takes more than one.
Actually Obama says that either President Bush, Mitt Romney, Mr Zimmerman, or the Cambridge Police dept are to blame.
You are definitely a ... painter. No doubt about it.
I want to please ass the people of America to please go and cray place in synia the people is dead in the country
Hope he stays, so he can get his just desserts...like Gaddhafi!
I hope Assad had a very slow and painful death!
Asma too
Ever wonderwhy all these Muslim regimes are being overthrown in past 2 years? Egypt and Libya Syria etc? It is to usher in The One world Government headed by a Supreme Muslim leader.
Sure looks that way. Their next move will be to try and destroy Israel. They will of course fail.
And America's first black racist, muslim, pandering dictator wants to be it.
focus on facts
Blaming hinduism is not going to go anywhere. In fact, Al-Assad is doing what mus*ims have been doing all along to one another and nonmus*ims in particular. Blowing out of proportion 1 case of "alleged" child sacrifice by unnamed trolls will do nothing to blame hinduism. Remember, Ghenghiz khan and Timur the lame were famous to leave mountains of skulls in their wake to terroize their opponents. Lying and killing other people "Taqqiya" and "wajibul katl" even their own people is nothing new. Ahmadiyas are killed daily in pak*stan along with christians, hindus if they are not able to convert them. In fact, remember "Jaziya", the tax to be paid by non muslims who live in muslim lands? talk about tolerance and peace. Unsubstantiated lies will do nothing good in face of videos of killing unarmed women with AK47 and burrowing in ground with tails between legs when NATO soldiers come searching is well known is'nt it? so much for brave lonely and fearsome fighters. Take a break, eat some pork and raise some d*gs. leave the rest of world alone while u r country goes down the drain. If free take a begging bowl to the 2 fathers, USA or China who throw some scraps every now and then. Do not drag India or Hindus in mud as they have no intention to mud wrestle pigs. Oh and by the way, in free time, do some "honor killings" because killing weak females is the biggest sign of manliness over there, ha ha
Would all of this violence have happened in the first place if wahhabi fighters had not been imported by NATO alliance countries? When did "freedom" seeking "pro-democratic" forces decide to start using suicide bombing as a tactic? Everyone better get ready to take a stand against the pro bank kabbalists because soon they are likely to send wahhabis and blue hats to a region near you. We would be very naive not to think so.
When you are a brutal dictator, even more brutal "freedom" fighters are required to take you down. Enjoy the show.
So replace brute with bigger brute? Now that makes perfect sense (sarcasm).
I dont think your naive ! STUPID is more apt for an ape like you ! if you want a war , go find yourself one ballsy ! leave us in peace !!! better still spread your hate in MARS ! martians would welcome your harebrain ideas !!!
It will find you for being naive and not speaking out against NATO and bank kabbal initiated violence. You dont think they are going to leave any stone unturned do you? We are dealing with satanic new world government forces. Maybe you should take w bit of time to investigate for yourself and educate yourself. Maybe Cass is paying you too much for that though. As for me, i endeavor for peace. People should prepare to defend themselves though. May you find the truth. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
IN THE END THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE
Syrian president has taken some pages out of Mama Kali's book !!!
HINDU KALI – GODDESS OF VIOLENCE/TERRORISM
A recent report by United Press trust of India (UPI) stated that during the past three years more than 2,500 young boys and girls were sacrificed to goddess Kali in India. Another of AFP's recent reports say: hundreds of young boys and virgin girls are sacrificed every month for the deity Kali. In one case Rama Sewak hacked his eight year old son to death in broad daylight in Delhi because goddess Kali had told him he would come back to life and bring him good fortune. Bloodthirsty Kali is worshipped openly the length and breadth of India. Kali's statue stands naked astride the inanimate body of the Hindu deity Shiva, tongue stuck out with blood dripping from fang-like teeth. She holds a noose, a skull-topped staff, a blood-encrusted sword and a severed head. She is also known as Durga, Devi, Shaktima, Uma and Parvathi in other manifestations. The priest of Delhi, Kali Bari, says that a child sacrificed to Kali ensures a man the birth of a son. Human sacrifices are also made to these gods or goddesses, either to appease them or to ask favours of them.
Can you cite sources (independent and reliable) that Al Assad is doing this or are you just blowing hat air? Who is responsible for most of the killing? Al Assad or a coalition of wahhabis, possible sunnis, probae pro bank kabbalist smash and grab merceneries, and spec ops from a few NATO alliance countries? What is the end game? Put in a radical wahhabi/sunni muslim brotherhood radical regime to help complete the caliphate to make war against moderate muslims, jews, and Christians, as well as agnostic secterians. Be careful what you wish for...
Come on, Barbara, give us a break. Fight or flight? What has Assad been doing for the last year? Since when is this a point of decision? How long did it take him to replace his Defense Minister?
I am a non White Christian. Assad is a murderer but he has no hatred for Christians . The majority of Syria's Christians Support Assad. The alternative is the rebels who are made up of Al Qeida and Muslim Fanatics/ Muslim Brotherhood. If the rebels win, Assad's chemical stockpiles will fall into the hands of Muslim Terrorist who will use it against the Western World and Israel and they dont worry about consequences because they love death ( they dont mind commiting suicide). The Christians in Syria are praying that the country does not fall into the hands of radical fanatical Moslems ( the rebels). I beleive God will answer the Christians. As for the current US goverment maybe they are the Great Babylon as prohesisized in End-Time prohesies in the Christian Bible.
Very possible the USA is mystery babylon. Our defense "officials" are so clueless that they have placed our much of our forces as sitting ducks in the strait of hormuz. Time to repent to God through Jesus Christ if you haven't done so yet.
Chris- Sitting here in the CAOC in Qatar and we're fully capable of defending against Iran's TBMs and SSMs with our PATRIOT batteries and AEGIS cruisers in the AG. In addition, their airforce is not even close to being able to mount a challenge against us. Clueless defense officials? List your military "qualifications" to make such a definitive statement? I don't even have to wait for your response, because I know for a FACT you don't possess the expertise to make any creditable "assessment".
Trevor, let me just say that I pray you are right and I am wrong. It does look like our carrier groups are being set up for an attack. If your pride is too high though, it might get in the way of clear thought. Confusion is a great ally to the enemy. The better choice , if we are concerned about Iran shutting down the strait, is to leave our carriers out of it and keep them out of a narrow passage susceptible to missle strikes. It would be much better just to go ahead and bomb strategic missile sites within Iran before possibly placing our carriers in a sacrificial position. I won't get into a battle of insults. I will just say, be careful what you wish for. Bravado usually gets one hurt. Those carriers need to be out of the strait and if Iran tries something, air strikes should be called in. Any novice should be able to see that as a better option rather than placing thousands of US sailors at unnecessary risk. If a West Point grad wants to offer a good counter opinion minus the insults though, I am more than willing to listen.
Chris- I won't "insult" you...I just stated a fact. The things you've talked about have been discussed ad nauseum by folks much with access to information that you're not privy to...both geo-politically and militarily. We aren't "prideful"... pride will get you killed. Finally, let me just say we have our "ears to the ground" and our "eyes open" with absolute clarity and we do have the ability to move our forces if required and in a timely manner should the need arise...
Name your masoud sources Barbara. Good news Assad is going but keep good people fully informed.
Assad is secular, look at the way his wife dresses.I am a non White Christian. Assad is a murderer but he has no hatred for Christians . The majority of Syria's Christians Support Assad. The alternative is the rebels who are made up of Al Qeida and Muslim Fanatics/ Muslim Brotherhood. If the rebels win, Assad's chemical stockpiles will fall into the hands of Muslim Terrorist who will use it against the Western World and Israel and they dont worry about consequences because they love death ( they dont mind commiting suicide). The Christians in Syria are praying that the country does not fall into the hands of radical fanatical Moslems ( the rebels). I beleive God will answer the Christians. As for the current US goverment maybe they are the Great Babylon as prohesisized in End-Time prohesies in the Christian Bible.
trolls beliving these so called little group fsa (terrorist) can bring down regime...its a laugh you idiots
first of all syira army is not libya one who stilll needs 6 months of intense nato bombing to weakening them enough to enter tripoli...and even now many part of country is still under green falg, is a FACT!
even hesbolah alone can deal with this clowns in max 2 weeks....where the hell you take this stupid informations from..o yes cnn...etc
first of all this is stil for army open fight and even if so called fsa (terrorists) succeed ( only with OTAN military support ) then you have real otions for libanon scenario in the 80's so they are far from achiving anything yet.
Respectfully, i disagree. If NATO had the green light from the UN and/or the people living in NATO countries, all of Syrian defenses could be reduced overnight. I however hope they dont get the green light from either. It should also be obvious to any truth seeker that the fsa is just a bunch of radical wahhabis, sunnis, pro bank kabbalist merceneries and a few spec ops from NATO alliance countries. What a very sad thing to see all the innocent bystanders getting killed. I would like to see an amnesty or pro arms movement so the non armed could atlewst defend their family and friends or leave Syria for safe haven. If the violence is being over reported or fabricated, then shame on anyone doing that.
Some of you comment on this situation like you've been to Syria or know Al Assad personally. The Only info available to us comes from CNN, Fox, Ect... And they admit they can't verify anything coming out of that country. So don't be so naive. We don't really know what the TRUTH is! Remember Iraq and WMD. It could just be propaganda for public consumption so we'll all scream for Nato/US military intervention.
"Suicide bombers" does not sound like the action of democratic freedom fighters. It sounds more like the acts of terrorists looking for a haven for future chaos and staging area for a total Middle East war.
Forget CNN – read the Associated Press. CNN still hasn't reported on Hillary's convoy coming under attack in Israel.
Assad is obviously finished, but what comes next? It's going to be interesting!
The equation is simple... Sarah Palin + teabaggers + birthers + nascar + assault weapons = trailer trash.
Assad task is quite clear for now.
He should be a man and have to kill as many "uprizers" as possible before dead oneself.
The more – the better.
Yob tvoya matt
Assad is one of those people who if he has to die he wants to take everyone with him. If given the chance he will use chemical weapons. He is that crazy.
Many believe that Nero started the great fire of Rome. Many will surely say that Assad, like Nero, destroyed the very country he is supposed to be serving and protecting.
Nero. Assad.
Two rotten human beings and two horrible leaders.
Well Assd is a coward, so he will flee; and, he’s morally depraved, so he will let his generals wage war against the decent people of Syria.
This is the epitome of an evil leader.
How far do you think Assad's convoy will get on his way out before a Hellfire finds him?
Pls other world powers supplying weapons to Al-Assad should remember that he is not fighting monsters but his people. imagine the women and children dying in this crisis, they should have it in mind that one day they all will be brought to justice in accordance to the law. I love you syrians!
adgajasfiowtioja
Russia needs to try to secure the chemical weapons. Assad having them is one thing - some other non-state player potentially having them is unacceptable.
assad is a person who makes his own choices...
hey lennon is putin still planing to bury you
This sociopathic megalomaniac's time is running out...GOOD RIDDANCE TO HIM!
It's time to send al-Assad a half dozen cruise missiles to help him reach a quick decision.
ASSAD will destroy the country before thinking about leaving,kinda like OBAMA.
Don't look now Cletus but someone is trying to hotwire your tractor.
Actually, PRESIDENT Obama, has helped this country more than his predecessor. If your gonna bash one you minus well bash the other. Remember, we were fine before we started 2 wars. Oh yea, re-tardians don't see in black and white, they only see white
Why are US troops on the ground here?
I'm asking alexon: who's got the oldest secret service in the world?
power comes and power goes but people never change...
hey putin how's buisness these days...
I bet that the right-wing thugs in Washington must be grinning their heads off over this by now!!! How sickening!
in life assad chose death...
Death Assad, Deathd Assad.
Its pretty simple really. If he has any intelligence at all he will flee with whatever billions he has squirreled away in his Swiss bank account. If he is megalomaniac like Saddam or Qadaffi we will see him hanging from a balcony in Damascus.
There's something very unsual about Assad! Since the onset of the unrest in his country, unlike Hosni Mubarak and Moammar Ghadaffi who were very visible and outspoken about the unrest in their countries, Assad has remained totally silent. That is really strange given the full scale unrest and carnage in his country. Perhaps he believe this crisis would resolve itself if he hides behind his wife and remain silent. This guy is a strange leader. But he cannot flee because he has already been indicted by the ICC for war crimes against humanity.
Like I said, so as every president of the US for the past 50 years (at least) accept JFK
Assad fights "international terrorism" (sponsored by MI6) George W. was doing the same after 9/11
you are a fool to think that bush was commiting terrorism for responding appropiately to the attacks of 9-11, you sound like someone making such claims from a cave in afgh., the U.S. has "every right" to kill those that seek to thousands of americans
Clueless!
You must be a fool to think that some imaginable "mujahideen" could pull off something like 9/11.
This job was conduct by the most sophisticated Intelligent Service in the world, with all due respect to Afghan people or any other Arab nation, with the their little knowledge and power that they have, it was impossible for them to penetrate the US security systems to conduct such operation.
The question is, WHO'S SECRET SERVICE THE OLDEST IN THE WORLD ?
If your IQ allows you to answer this question, then you should run for at least a governor
Alexon-perfectly worded
does bolivia even have a government?
This is a good sign for the fall of the brutal dictator Assad. On after another, all dictators in the Middle-East, North Africa and entire Arab World must fall for the establishment of democracy to serve the greater interest of the people in the region. In the name of Islam, these dictators have been suppressing the rights and economic opportunities of the people for generations. The most dangerous regimes in this region are Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and a few more. The time has come in this century, when the rising spirit of the people bring this dictators down to establish new governments of the people, for the people and by the people.
I just find it interesting that every Islamic country seems to be in total disrepair. I think it just goes to show what kind of religion Islam is.
a) Don't think countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malyasia, Dubai, Indonesia, are in "Total Disrepair".
b) What does Islam have to do with a country's "disrepair". Thats like saying: Hitler killed millions of people. Goes to show what kind of religion Christianity is.
Assad spokesperson insisted that those trying to divide the army are failing. "This army has not been divided," .
But the truth is increasing numbers of officials in the Syrian military have defected in recent days. Two brigadier generals fled overnight to Turkey, bringing the number of Syrian generals in Turkey to 20, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said.
The killing of top generals in Assad's inner circle is a tipping point, both in the war and in increasing defections of Assad's forces
This is a sectarian civil war – and I would be surprised if it is over as whatever one says Assad still has the support of enough of the population to be encouraged to continue. No doubt he will take cover, as after all both Bush and Cheney dissapeared into the woodwork at the time of the 9/11 attacks on our capital – it seems to be an approved 'leader' response to personal threat. If he wants to continue he has to change his strategy to counter the insurgent occupation of cities by lightly armed groups – rather like the Vietnamese in the Tet offensive.
Find his wife Asma, a native of England, and arrest her. If she is hiding like the coward she is she is probably in England and the English probalby know it. Spirit her off so al-Assad can't fiind her. He will crumble.
Why Asma not Laura Bush her husband killed more than million innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan
I'm no fan of bush but to make such claims as you have made (killing over a million people) is a outright lie and you are guilty of slander
Hey Hanna women are you alewite like Asma and Bashar? Yes you are. Keep defending him you moron. He killed his own nation. He gave order to his army to cut newborn babies throat, shoot children, rape pregnant women. Time has come Hanna. Now Sunnis will have the power very soon in Syria and you will exactly face with what you did to innocent people in Syria. No one will ever forget. The end of Bashar, his regime, his army and his supporters will end tragedically.
Is everybody in this forum either a teabagger or alawite?
I don't think so. I read the comments and see people against Bashar. Don't forget alewiltes are with Bashar and Sunnis are against Bashar. The entire army is Alewite in Syria. Alwites are minority in Syria yet they have power because of Bashar. Since he is alewite, he loaded them with guns etc. In general they are very poor and uneducated. Alewite is not even a religion. They have dirty rules etc..like women, men (relatives) they lock themselves inside the room, turn off the lights and sleep with eachother. read about them..so dirty..you don't even wanna consider them neither animal or human. Animals have more dignity then Alewite community.
This is by far the stupidist comment I have read in my entire life. I am not Alawite but have lived in Syria and I consider the most educated Muslims. They are not radical and respect other religions. Other Muslims don't consider them real Muslims because they are not radicals.
Assad should look again at the videos of Sadam Hussein and Momar Khadafi for a glimpse of his future....
As for the remaining military and high ranking government officials still supporting Assad, war crimes can be punishible by death - even if you yourself did not do the killing - so senior military leaders and government leaders not wishing to be jailed or hanged, should consider a fast exit from Damascus this week
Following your logic, that's exactly what every president of America for the past 50 years should be facing (after JFK, who was a true patriot of his country that deserve respect for fighting British banking many printing monopoly)
War crimes bshould be filed against the American soldiers that were abusing prisoners in Iraq. I bet u they are on administrative leave enjoying my tax dollors.
Only a complete 1d1ot can believe in a true democracy like US or Puddle citizens with a low IQ .
FOR NAIVE PEOPLE FROM ENGLAND AND USA :
Democracy – is when you control the media on the enemies side (besides your own of course)
The one that controls media, has a right to say who's "democratic" and who's not.
p.s. That's why the first target in Serbia was TV and Radio broadcasting station, during 1999 NATO campaign.
America unlike the UK and others is NOT a Democracy its a Republic – and that is what Liberals hate and why Obama would like to make us a Democracy as you've described. Its time for Americans to realize the true value our Founding Fathers gave us and re-embrace it.
Are you a teabagger or a republican? And what part of our history did you people embrace? The Founding Fathers built a Union founded on democractic values and principles, where in the words of Thomas Jefferson, "all men are created equal and they are endowed by their creater with certain unalienable rights that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." However, while the Union fought fearlessly to preserve our democracy, the Confederacy conspirred to revolt and undermine it to maintain their oppressive, unjust and inhumane system of slavery. You're on the wrong sid e of our history pally!
dear alexon, i can only hope.. with time.. you will get smarter. being young , like you sound is confusing your thinking
I do see a zero of constructive criticism in your words, that reflects your incompetence in this subject.
How about some real reporting instead of this wishful thinking thing you got going.
Hey, Asma – when your husband gets killed, if you survive, like... wanna hang out? I can make you scream like that little man never EVER could!
Take you medication now.
You've probably no idea how good she looks
Assad would serve his family better if he had them leave for safe haven NOW -- otherwise his wife could be stoned inthe streets by angry mobs
but... I was gonna make her squeal like a pig! D-:
Another middle eastern thug getting ready to go down. This guy's as bad as his father was.
I hope the Syrian Gov fights those terrorist lowlifes, its shameful what UN and the world supports Terrorist killings in Syria, I hope the Syrians win this poor attempt to brining their Nation into a Civil War.
Look at what Syrian cities have been reduced to! Ghost-towns and all buildings destroyed and probably looted.
Actually, the picture above looks like the maps you see in MW2 and MW3 games!
Has the US condemned the bombing in Damascus or does the US openly support terrorism now?
Not sure they counted all the civilians killed by the snipers, tanks and mortar fire. Once they work out how many have been killed they will work on Damascus.
that was no act of terrorism; that was a strategic stroke. And whoy should the US condemn if they have CIA on the ground supportin the rebels
Funny this coming from USA and Britain 2 bankrupt countries that can't even shelter its own people. 1 russian nuke and London and Dublin will vaporize from the earths surface USA can't do anything Syria will sink the USA aircraft carriers with its oniks 800 supersonic anti ship missile hitting the thing at 3500km per hour and sea level when the cruise missile makes a supersonic dive. And another great news 2 usa soldiers got reduced to dust in Afghanistan and 7 israeli kids got kill.ed also yesterday now that's funny.
You and mujammed and all of terrorist Izlam can eat a dick.
The alawi comments on all online forums are sounding more and more desperate. Ther will be hell to pay for your sect and the support you give to the butcher assad and his criminal gangs. Nshallah you get a taste of your own medicine sooner than later and we lebanese can finally hang all the assad puppets in our country. Your days are numbered ya kaleb
How sad that you actually believe your comments.
Good that you are informed about what russian copy-thech of american inventions can do. Is it your hobby to fantasize about bombing western democracies?
Saeed maybe you can get a job parking cars once Damascus is turned into a large parking lot for Israeli tourists
Go shove ur dick up Mohammed's hole.
Funny this coming from a Irish girl that pictures are posted on half the world wide web in every adult movie.
Winston asked, "Grandfather, if God is all powerful why does God let people kill and hurt each other?"
"Well grandson, the better question is why does man who started out as the least powerful of the animals and has now become the most powerful creature on the planet allows it and does not stop killing and hurting each other? We are free to stop this madness."
Saeed,
And you wonder why people in the US hate Islam.....It's comments like yours, advocating violence against women and children that show the world who you really are. The deaths of Children, wherever they are in the world is a horrible and sad thing. The fact that you think it's wonderful shows you to be morally bankrupt and devoid of anything that makes you human. You should be ashamed of yourself and someday those word will come back to haunt you when someone you love...If you are even capable of that emotion, dies. You are an insult to polite society and the human race.
you irish filt,hy who,ore go and be fuc,ked by your mother.
Spoken like a true pig muncher.
Keep barking saeed. I fully support you showing the truth about the Religion of Peace. Just remember when we come for you/your country/your religion that it is BECAUSE we can't find a way to co-exist with you, and that is YOUR fault.
With no respect given to you or any other like minded fools there is no country in the world that could handle the US in straight up fight not even China. You and all your weak, small minded terrorist friends can keep being cowards. Because brain washing the poor and uneducated to kill themselves for Allah to take out maybe 10 people at a time is all you got. I hope you rot in hell
whats needed is a russian hypersonic bulava missile flying through the athmosphere all the way to sydney and taking a hypersonic dive and booom a nuclear detonation.
I think Russia, China and the US should put aside their strategic interests and after having discussed with both the regime and the rebels propose a joiint solution focussed on the long term future of the people of syria.
I hear the rounds of gun fire, mortars and tanks from the syrian/ jordanian border coming from syria after sundown, Jordan King is very afraid that assad fall because jordan royal family maybe next and others in arab gulf states, situation in the middle east and in jordan in particular seem on edge, people are in wait and see mode and they expect jordan is next in line to be unstable.
I hope someone has their iPhone pointed at him when the crowd of rebels – pulls him from his car headed to the airport with a ticket to Moscow – and shoots him.
Syria already has a new Deputy Commander of the Army and a new Defense Minister after the terrorist attack incident in Syria
Clearly encouraging terrorism ?!!
Only one camera? I'm hoping for enough camera angles to allow us to render 3-d holograms. My new company's Business Plan is to place them in urinals country-wide, as a reminder to flush when you are done.
It's all political that is the saddest part Russia and China had no stake or interest in Libya, so it was A-Okay to let the governments do what they wished. Iran is getting crippled from the sanctions the US is imposing, but letting 1,000s of people die government and civilian just to protect their interests?? They could have really made a difference in this conflict had they looked at it from a humanitarian grow and not a political one. Now let's see what kind of influence and bargaining power they will have when this thing finally does end and there is a new government in place comprised of those who knew Russia and China just sat there and did nothing .
I don't care, all the muslim/arabs can kill each other and call it spring, summer,winter, fall. The way they treat women, animals, and each other they deserve whatever they're giviving each other. They only help i'd give them is ammunition to kill each other. This is the human trash of the planet!
Yo Leo! Do you personally know any Muslims?! I seriously doubt it.
And if there be among them, some innocent, numbering less than 500... would you let those 500 die for the sake of the elimination of those you deem guilty?
I sure would! Kill 'em all at let the child molester mujammed sort 'me out!
Sort of funny how all these Southern tea baggers make fun of Mohammad for being a "child molester". Isn't sodomizing underaged relatives Dixie's national sport?
Sorry, asshat, but I'm not from the US. I'm Bolivian. The US is another crap factory to me. Ciao!
Jew
Big Jew Nose
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i do know some and lived in mid-east. They are over moneyed trash who engage in genital mutilation of females, toss acid on the faces of women who attend school or refuse to marry them and have refused to allow churches to be built while their mosques are built in the USA just fine even after 2 airplanes attacked on 9/11 in NYC !!!
ASSAD IS A MURDEROUS DICTATOR WHO IS KILLING WOMEN AND CHILDREN ....ARM THE CIVILIANS ....THIS DICTATOR IS KILLING HIS OWN PEOPLE MAKING HIM WORSE THAN HITLER!!! AMERICA NEEDS TO SUPPORT MODERATE MIDDLEEASTERN LEADERS!!! WE MUST NEVER FORGET JESUS,MOSES,DAVID,,ETC,ETC, CAME OUT OF THIS REGION!!
It's OK for mass killing of government officials, but the government is a terrorist regime if it defends it's sovereign territory. Hypocrites.
Assad is dead.
good !
Thanks a bunch, Russia and China. It is a matter of time until the rebels get lucky and kill Assad themselves. Then Syria will have to reconstruct all by themselves, because why should they trust an international community which stood by and watched while their world burned? Neither Russia nor China will have much influence there after that, nor anyone else except the worst of their own fundamentalist preachers.
John – If the west stopped supporting and arming the rebels this war would have been over a long time ago – the government has a right to defend itself – the reporting from the west is extremely one sided and prejudiced – as long as the west arms and supports the rebels it cannot pretend that it really wants peace two wrongs don't make things right
IF the west really wanted peace the BOTH sides should be pressured to put their arms down.
If Assad is allegedly killing his own people – I suppose the rebels are just killing the goats and chickens
My god how ignorant can you possibly be??? This all started over mass killings of peaceful protesters. You have snipers opening fire on unarmed protestors, and then more people being killed by sniper fire while attending peaceful funerals for the victims of the protests, and you expect them to just sit there and deal with it??? The media in the west especially here in the good old USA loves to tell one side of the story, but aren't you forgetting the reports that are actually coming from the citizens on the ground there??? The government has a sovereign right to indiscriminately slaughter their own people in the name of national security??? Cause basically that is what you are saying..
The Govt has a right to defend themselves? They attacked innocent and peaceful protesters. Don't forget, that's what started this whole mess.
@femi The government has a 'right' to defend itself? Even when it was the one who started this mess by massacring peaceful protesters? So basically you mean that 'the rights of the individual are respected only so long as they don't conflict with the interests of the state', huh? Take your fascist garbage elsewhere, you piece of trash.
Rely to Shadow... It DID NOT Started with 'peaceful" protesters. You are ignorant and uneducated "red neck". It started long time ago. Arab protes was just a lubricant to fliud amed gangs in Syria. Only blind cannot see it. One question to you DID YOU SEE SNIPERS? DID YOU TALK TO THEM? WEREYOU THEIR "SPOTTER"? if NO, so $hut UP
@shadow and eph521 - did you know that these "peaceful" protests used to start every week after Friday prayer, fueled by an incendiary Sunni fundamentalist rhetoric, shouted by extremist imams!?!? ... To most of you westerners, this thing started when the Syrian regime started killing people, but the fact is, your Governments are now arming tomorrow's terrorists... Remember Afghanistan in the 80's!?!? Bin Laden and Co. were exactly what you needed back then... "freedom fighters" against the Soviets... How did that turn out?!?!?!
thank goodness somebody is arming the rebels or they would have all been killed by Assad.
I worry that Assad might just want to give some chemical weapons to the enemy of his enemies. Russia has already put it's best foot forward as did China as far as the U.N. goes, and it will be remembered for along time in mimideastern circles(good luck keeping that base in Syria). King Abdullah is right,and God bless him and his dad (RIP)for making Jordan an example of how it's done in the middle east.
Barbara Starr: Your journalism professors would cringe if they read this piece. Does no one proofread this stuff?
surely you have been aware (for the past 30 years) of the dumbing down of America! The journalism will only get worse.
This is a poorly written and edited report. I expect better.
I agree!!!
The U.N. = lazy, overpaid and USELESS WEAKLINGS. They burn BILLIONS to produce useless reports and fancy meetings in luxury locations, but are absolutely USELESS in conflicts!
Please write about the Uniting for Peace resolution from back in the days, which would bypass the security council. This with the responsibility to protect doctrine paves way for a UN mission, regardless of what China or Russia thinks.
I request the UN to intervene the situation of syria otherwise syria wil be Al – Qaida hide out. AL ASSAD 2 STOP MASS KILLING OF SYRIANS.
Al-Qaida is already fighting against Syria. The "rebels" – called here "terrorists" are armed by Qatar, Saoudie and us (Nato).
Where is the UN to condemn this violent attacks on government officials. Violence is violence. you call this a peacefully protest in Syria. Now they are reporting about the president's whereabouts. It is utter b.s. ...all speculated and shoved down our throats.