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The Syrian crackdown escalated as the army stormed the city of Daraa with tanks and thousands of troops, killing at least 25 and reportedly detaining dozens more in a meticulously planned assault. Reports from the city said bodies of the dead were strewn in the streets. While the Syrian government has made some key concessions, at least 400 protesters have been killed since demonstrations began in March—and the latest crackdown indicates that the slaughter will not stop any time soon. The Syrian army has so far remained loyal to the government—a key difference from Egypt, where the army’s refusal to fire on protesters was crucial in bringing down President Hosni Mubarak. Meanwhile, the White House is preparing to impose sanctions on Syria and freeze the assets of senior Syrian officials.