A Ground Report On Syria's Civil War

This scene in Rastan reveals the devastation left behind by the civil war in Syria. As the fighting grows more barbarous on both sides, there are worries about what the ultimate price will be. Tens of thousands have already died. Marcel Mettelsiefen/ DER SPIEGEL

Gaining a Clearer View of the Syrian Civil War -- Christoph Reuter, Speigel Online

After spending months reporting on the conflict, a SPIEGEL journalist has pieced together a realistic view of the situation on the ground, and reports that dictator Bashar Assad's fall seems inevitable. But as the fighting grows more barbarous on both sides, he worries what the ultimate price will be.

It was August 2012 and we were sitting in front of the TV. The Syrian state-run channel was reporting that the country's army was fighting bravely in the streets of Maraa, and was close to defeating the terrorists there. At this very moment, the program continued, Syrian army troops were storming the cultural center where the last terrorists had holed up. The screen showed soldiers running past three-story apartment buildings.

We watched the TV, fascinated.

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My Comment: The fog of war is definitely in play in Syria. Another sobering commentary on Syria (from The National) is here.