Nawaf al-Fares, who has close ties to the Syrian security services, was the first senior diplomat to desert Assad, following hard on the heels of Manaf Tlas, a brigadier general in the elite Republican Guard and a close friend of Assad.

I say “if it turns out to be correct” because another reported defection of several days ago now seems unproven. 

 Nearly one week after the commander of one ofSyria’s elite Republican Guard units defected, he has not been seen in public or tried to contact the opposition, raising questions about his motives and intentions, senior officials and opposition members said.

Of course whether it’s two, or one, the individual defections aren’t as important as what they indicate about the rumors, talk, and morale of those still wearing Assad’s uniforms.  Is a tipping point near at hand or will one not be reached? Resources are being poured in from both sides to prove their own prophecies