From outside the country it is impossible to judge in the fog of claims and counterclaims who is gaining the upper hand in what has finally escalated into a full-fledged civil war in Syria. After the surprise offensive launched by rebel forces in Damascus on 15 July, the government appears to have reasserted its control in the capital, with Foreign Minister Walid al-Mu'allim claiming  on 29 July that "in less than a week" the rebels "were defeated and the battle failed." With Damascus pacified (at least for the moment), both sides turned their attention to Aleppo, where government forces launched an offensive against rebel positions on 28 July which was met with fierce resistance and was  continuing at MEES press time on 3 August. One person who evidently believes that this battle may determine the outcome of the entire uprising is President Bashar al-Asad, who has dropped out of sight but who sounded an almost apocalyptic note in a written message on 1 August on armed forces day declaring that "the fate of our people and our nation, past, present and future depends on this battle."

In the circumstances, it should probably have come as no surprise that UN/Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, whose attempts to mediate a ceasefire have been ignored by both sides for nearly four months, announced his resignation on 2 August. Mr Annan blamed his decision on "finger-pointing and name-calling" in the Security Council and told reporters that "the increasing militarization on the ground and the clear lack of unity in the Security Council have fundamentally changed the circumstances for the effective exercise of my role." He also put forward his views on what needs to happen in Syria in an article in the Financial Times on 3 August which states bluntly that "it is clear that Bashar al-Asad must leave office" and that "the greater focus…must be on measures and structures to secure a peaceful long-term transition to avoid a chaotic collapse." For Russia, China and Iran "this means they must make concerted efforts to persuade Syria's leadership to change course and embrace a political transition, realizing the current government has lost all legitimacy." For the other side internationally, the US, UK, France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, "this means pressing the opposition to embrace a fully inclusive political process – to include communities and institutions associated with the government." Mr Annan concludes by saying that "Syria can still be saved from the worst calamity," but that "this requires courage and leadership, most of all from the permanent members of the Security Council."