Credit: Asiatimes.
Syrian rebels point to high-profile defections, heightened violence in Damascus and revelations of another “civilian massacre” as signs of a turning point in the uprising – even as insurgents flee fighting in the capital and evidence from the Hama killings suggest they simply resulted from another uneven clash between regime forces and local fighters. As the chaos undermines rebel aspirations and Russia refuses to abandon its long-standing ally, the Syrian army stands mostly intact. – Victor Kotsev