In a new effort to halt more than a year of bloodshed in Syria, President Obama will push for the departure of President Bashar al-Asad under a proposal modeled on the transition in Yemen. The goal is for President Asad to step down, find a transitional successor, with most of the present administration staying in power, reports the New York Times. The success of the plan hinges on Russia, which has strongly opposed Asad’s removal so far.