The fighting in Syria have reached Damascus. In the last 3 days fierce battles have taken place all over the city.
Opposition activists were calling the fighting -- the fiercest clashes to date reported in Damascus -- a potential turning point in the 16-month civil conflict, which previously had left the capital mostly unscathed.
While Assad's government retains control so far, recent reports indicates Assad is moving around some of his vast stockpiles of chemical weapons.
This is a dangerous situation as Syria posses one of the world's largest collection of chemical weapons. In the wrong hands these could threaten the whole region.
Even if Assad does not lose control over these weapons of mass destruction, as the fighting escalates he may use them against his own people or against Israel. And worse yet, while Assad has maintained tight control over his undeclared stockpiles of sarin, mustard gas, cyanide and possibly VX, as well as tens of thousands of missiles that can carry them - whoever takes over will likely be too weak to secure the WMD sites. Shady arms dealers are already licking their chops.
As the Middle East changes around Israel, it's hard to predict the outcome of the events in Syria. It's hard to guess what calculations are going on inside Assad's head.
If Assad falls it will have implications in other neighbouring countries - tensions are likely to rise in Jordan and its Muslim Brotherhood will be emboldened.
Change is an opportunity for a better future - but sadly it does not seem to be the case..
