officially provides no “lethal” assistance to the rebels, on the grounds that guns could be used in sectarian warfare retributions, particularly in the event the Assad regime falls
(CBS News) WASHINGTON – Amid warnings that the Syrian military appears to be “lining up” for a “massacre” in Aleppo – the war-torn nation’s most populous city – the U.S. government says President Bashar Assad’s isolated regime is literally running out of cash to keep up the fight. Officials at the U.S. Treasury and State Departments tell CBS News that Syria is having problems finding a source to print its currency. That could make it harder for the regime to continue functioning as Assad’s government burns through the state’s central bank reserves. Assad is estimated to have spent about half of Syria’s sovereign wealth fund – essentially the nation’s piggybank. It was estimated to be worth $5 billion just two years ago. European Union sanctions – coordinated with the U.S. – have made it difficult for Syria to find new trading and banking partners. This is one of the financial tools that the U.S. is wielding. For Syrians who escaped, agony of absence and prayers for justiceSyria rebels defiant ahead of Aleppo battle Unilateral economic sanctions against Syria and 26 key members of the Assad regime were tightened again last week by the United States. Still, sanctions are a blunt tool in a de facto financial war on Syria; the cost of living has skyrocketed not just for the Syrian regime, but also the Syrian civilians who support the...
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