should the u.s. play a major role in the middle east? facebook.com/carolcnn. i'll read your comments later this hour. >> you have to wonder if the president steps back if that is seen as a failure. >> one of the things that he's talked about is sanctions against syria. who knows how long those sanctions will be and if that will make any difference at all. >> it looks like it's the middle eastern people that are making a difference on the ground. that they are changing their lives. >> right. so why do they need the united states? >> always a good question. we're going to see. >> thanks. tune in for special coverage beginning at 11:30 eastern. wolf blitzer will join us as well. live coverage right here on cnn. here's a run down on some of the stories that we're covering at this hour. bears, alligators, snakes, how