BLITZER: We're getting new information here in the SITUATION ROOM about how long the government of Syria may be able to hold on to power in the face of a popular uprising, and it all comes down to finances. It could have some serious, troubling implications for the security of Syria's chemical and biological weapons at the same time. Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, is in neighboring Jordan where she's following the story.</s>BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, here in Jordan, there is a reality that Bashar al Assad may remain in power in Syria for months to come. One key reason, Assad's finances. The assessment is that he started the war with about $30 billion in cash reserves. Down now to about $6 billion to $9 billion. And the war's costing him about a billion dollars a month. All of that would have put him out of business by the end of the year. But now, sources are telling us that he is getting a cash infusion from Iran through Lebanese banks. It's all causing a lot of worry here. Jordanian and U.S. forces are now training on what they think is the worst case scenario, how to maintain control of Assad's chemical and biological weapons. If it came down to it, the belief is, some troops from some country would have to move within 18 hours to keep control of that -- Wolf.</s>BLITZER: Barbara Starr in Jordan for us, thank you. Coming up, part two of my exclusive interview with the afghan president, Hamid Karzai. You're going to hear what he says should happen to that American soldier who authorities say massacred Afghan villagers this year. Stand by.
Cash From Iran Helping Al-Assad Hold Power