"Apenas pasa un día en que nuestros sentidos no están golpeados por algún nuevo brote de terrorismo en el Medio Oriente. A pesar de nuestros mejores esfuerzos en hacer y mantener la paz, político, económico, y las tensiones religiosas a menudo conducen a la inestabilidad, violencia, y los disturbios ".

-Jim Bakker en "la prosperidad y el apocalipsis"

The White House announced after the deadly attack on Assad’s inner circle that the president is “losing control”. Russia condemned the bombing as an “act of terror” and called for those behind it to be punished.

The brother-in-law of Syrian president Bashar al Assad, Assef Shawkat and defense Chief Daoud Rajha died in the blast at a meeting of senior security and government figures in Damascus. Syrian general Hassan Turkmani, a former defense minister and senior military official, was also killed, and several others were wounded.

The bomb exploded at the National Security Building in the central section of Damascus, not far from the Presidential Palace. It is not known if the device was previously planted on site or if it was a suicide device. It was reported from inside the building, “They heard a muffled bang… they then heard gunfire.” At the present time there is only speculation and confusion surrounding the event.

Some sources say a bodyguard employed by the regime’s elite was carrying the device on a belt around his waist, even though rebel groups are claiming responsibility for the attack. ‘The Brigade of Islam’, said it had been planning the attack for a month; however the Free Syrian Army also claimed responsibility for the action.

“The armed forces are determined to terminate the killing gangs and criminals and pursue them wherever they go,” a Syrian government military statement said. “Whoever thinks that by targeting some commanders they can twist Syria’s arm, is delusional.”

The city of Damascus has turned into a killing field and the nation of Syria has lost over 17,000 dead since the uprising began. The rebels are saying, the drive to “liberate” the capital has begun.

Russia is steadfastly opposed to any mention of Chapter 7 as part of Kofi Annan’s peace plan which could eventually allow the use of force by the U.N. to end the conflict.