The 6 August defection of Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab – who issued a statement saying that "I announce today my defection from the killing and terrorist regime and I announce that I have joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution. I announce that I am from today a soldier in this blessed revolution" – was not as telling a blow to the regime as the 18 July assassination of President Asad's brother-in-law and senior intelligence officials, if only because he was not a member of the president's inner circle that controls the security services and decides policy. Nonetheless, he would not have been appointed last June if he was not a trusted member of the Ba'th party, and his defection can only contribute to the government's paranoia.