SYRIA (4)

The bomb at the country's national security headquarters, which has killed at least three high-ranking Syrian defence officials (the Defence Minister, a former Defence Minister and the brother-in-law to President Assad), marks a turning point in this conflict. For two reasons.

First, it shows that the rebel forces can infiltrate the highest echelons of the country's security apparatus. Secondly, and by extension, it shows that the regime can't protect its privileged citizens, let alone the man in the street.

The average loyal Syrian (and, even more importantly, the oligarchical businessmen who prop up the Assad regime) must now be wondering whether it is worth it. The conflict is by no means over, but Assad's departure now seems to be a question of when rather than whether.

Walter Blotscher