The White House insisted
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
The Scourge of Hama...
was "losing control" of power, as Washington marshaled its forces to push the regime toward its tipping point.
The Treasury Department announced assets freezes and bans on links with 29 members of the regime's upper echelon, including the ministers of finance, economy and justice, and the governor of the central bank.
While the U.S. had already introduced sanctions against 100 members of the regime, the move represented a significant stepping up of pressure on Assad's inner circle.
Until now those not directly involved in the violence had largely dodged sanctions, as Washington tried to encourage defections or even an internal revolt.
Among the other ministers included in Wednesday's actions were those responsible for agriculture, housing, health, education, environment, culture and oil.
Many were appointed less than a month ago when Assad announced a new cabinet in the wake of controversial parliamentary elections that were boycotted by the opposition.