Syrian troops advance in northern, southern areas as rebels storm central towns:
In the countryside of Damascus, the state agency said the army demolished several rebel's positions namely in the areas of Hajar al-Aswad, Sbeineh, Douma, Harasta, al-Rihan, al-Mleiha, al- Zabadani, Adra, al-Nabek and Yabroud. Ref. Source 7
I hope we do a real cost/benefit analysis and see that there is such a slight possibility that we can do any 'good' over there with troops on the ground and such a high cost whether or not we end up doing anything worthwhile.
I do wish that we could stop all tyranny and such, but we have a weakened economy and little understanding of the long term issues with intervention in many parts of the world. That means that lasting change is not likely to come from us with an extremely high cost.
Syria army says rebels trapped in Qusayr's north:
Syrian troops have captured much of the rebel stronghold of Qusayr, in central Homs province, squeezing opposition fighters into the north of the strategic town, a military officer told AFP on Friday. Ref. Source 5
Fears of foreign-fuelled arms race in Syria
Fears grew today of a foreign-fed arms race in Syria as European Union nations decided they could give weapons to the outgunned rebels and Russia disclosed it has a contract to sell the Syrian government sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles. Ref. Source 8
Syrian army seizes strategic air base near Qusair: state media:
Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters already surround the border town of Qusair from three sides. Taking control of Dabaa, on the northern side of Qusair, would put the strategic town under siege from four sides. Ref. Source 9
U.S. Withholds aid, growing weary of Syrian opposition:
The United States is withholding $63 million that it had pledged to the main Syrian opposition organization because the Obama administration is frustrated with the group's disarray and is searching for more credible partners to support in the rebellion against Syrian President Bashar Assad Ref. Source 2