AdvertisementU.S. Steps Up Pressure On Syria With SanctionsMay 18, 2011Alan GreenblattfacebookEmailSyrian President Bashar al-Assad addresses the nation during a speech at the Parliament in Damascus, Syria, on March 30. In the White House's strongest reaction yet to the Syrian crackdown against demonstrators, the Treasury Department issued sanctions Wednesday against Assad and six other Syrian government officials. (SANA/AP)