Real News From The Blaze': Is the Syrian Conflict in a New, and Final Phase?

More news and questions are coming out of Damascus following the devastating bombing carried out by the opposition Wednesday against the Syrian regime, killing three top military and security leaders including the brother-in-law of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose whereabouts were in dispute following the attack. While Assad was seen on Syrian T.V. Thursday swearing in his new defense minister after predecessor Dauoud Rajha was killed in the bombing, many have speculated that the attack marks the accelerating path to the regime's the end and a new phase in the 18-month conflict.

As rebels are torching police headquarters in Damascus and seizing control of Syria's international borders, rumors are spreading that Assad's Britain-born wife has fled to Russia and Syrian troops had been issued gas masks; raising fears that chemical weapon use could be on the horizon. Earlier in the day Thursday the government's last major allies, Russia and China, vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have threatened sanctions against Syria’s leadership.

If this is in fact the beginning of the end for the government, yesterday's attacks have more than just a strategic significance, as they indicate the possible high profile participation of Jihadi elements within the resistance.

On "Real News" Thursday the panel discussed the latest developments in Syira, and what scenarios could unfold should Assad be ousted: