Al-Assad Losing Control But Showing No Signs Of Leaving -- CNN
The Syrian president's control is crumbling at an accelerating pace but the latest assessment by U.S. intelligence finds few indications Bashar al-Assad is willing to step down, according to U.S. officials.
While Obama administration officials have said during the nearly two-year conflict that it appears al-Assad is weakened, the descriptions provided to CNN by U.S. officials familiar with the latest intelligence suggest the Syrian leader's problems have accelerated internally as the opposition continues to capture more territory.
"It's at its lowest point yet," said one senior U.S. official with direct knowledge of the latest assessments. U.S. intelligence believes the decline has accelerated in recent weeks. "The trend is moving more rapidly than it has in the past."
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More News On Syria's Civil War
Syria Live Blog -- Al Jazeera
Syria conflict: Russia denies ditching Assad - Friday 14 December -- The Guardian
Fear grips civilians as war laps closer to Syrian capital -- Reuters
In Syria, hunger spreads as war intensifies -- Reuters
As Syrian rebels close in, Assad has cards to play -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Senior NATO official believes Assad will fall -- Reuters
EU Vows Pressure on Assad’s ‘Illegitimate Regime’ -- Bloomberg Businessweek
EU: All options are on the table to support Syrian opposition -- Haaretz
UK ready to step up support for Syrian opposition, says David Cameron -- The Guardian
U.S., rebels urge gloomy Moscow to help oust Assad -- Reuters
US: Recognizing Syrian Opposition Strengthens Fight Against Assad -- Voice of America
Syrian Rebels on Terror List Show U.S. Unease on Factions -- Bloomberg Businessweek
In Syria, U.S. decision to blacklist rebel group stirs outcry -- L.A. Times
Four options Syria’s Assad faces as rebels gain momentum -- Affan Chowdhry, Globe and Mail
Syria's Kurds face uncertain future if Assad falls -- The Guardian
Syria: As Rebels Make Gains, Assad Fires Back -- Jamie Dettmer, Daily Beast
Who comprises the Syrian opposition? -- CNN
Fate of Assad's Syria still hangs in the balance -- Jim Muir, BBC
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U.S., rebels urge gloomy Moscow to help oust Assad -- Reuters
US: Recognizing Syrian Opposition Strengthens Fight Against Assad -- Voice of America
Syrian Rebels on Terror List Show U.S. Unease on Factions -- Bloomberg Businessweek
In Syria, U.S. decision to blacklist rebel group stirs outcry -- L.A. Times
Four options Syria’s Assad faces as rebels gain momentum -- Affan Chowdhry, Globe and Mail
Syria's Kurds face uncertain future if Assad falls -- The Guardian
Syria: As Rebels Make Gains, Assad Fires Back -- Jamie Dettmer, Daily Beast
Who comprises the Syrian opposition? -- CNN
Fate of Assad's Syria still hangs in the balance -- Jim Muir, BBC
Don't write off Assad yet -- Peter Beaumont, The Guardian
After Assad: the US tries to keep Islamists out of the picture in Syria -- Paul Rogers, The Guardian
Obama’s ‘red line’ on Syria may be giving Assad opening to pursue other deadly tactics -- Washington Post/AP
Photographer In Syria Describes The Moment He 'Felt The Horror Of This War As Never Before' -- Business Insider
US: Recognizing Syrian Opposition Strengthens Fight Against Assad -- Voice of America
Syrian Rebels on Terror List Show U.S. Unease on Factions -- Bloomberg Businessweek
In Syria, U.S. decision to blacklist rebel group stirs outcry -- L.A. Times
Four options Syria’s Assad faces as rebels gain momentum -- Affan Chowdhry, Globe and Mail
Syria's Kurds face uncertain future if Assad falls -- The Guardian
Syria: As Rebels Make Gains, Assad Fires Back -- Jamie Dettmer, Daily Beast
Who comprises the Syrian opposition? -- CNN
Fate of Assad's Syria still hangs in the balance -- Jim Muir, BBC
Don't write off Assad yet -- Peter Beaumont, The Guardian
After Assad: the US tries to keep Islamists out of the picture in Syria -- Paul Rogers, The Guardian
Obama’s ‘red line’ on Syria may be giving Assad opening to pursue other deadly tactics -- Washington Post/AP
Photographer In Syria Describes The Moment He 'Felt The Horror Of This War As Never Before' -- Business Insider