Bashar al-Assad's government forces in Syria are poised to reclaim Aleppo, and two weeks of attacks have displaced thousands of residents. Here's a look at developments:
- The big picture: Aleppo would give Assad control of Syria's five biggest cities, meaning it's likely he's going to survive the years-long rebel uprising, observes an analysis at the New York Times. But he shouldn't get too excited: Rebels will decamp to the countryside, and "he would rule over an economic wasteland hampered by a low-level insurgency with no end in sight." Full analysis here.