But the presence of the tiny but growing U.N. observer team is having a "dampening effect" on the violence, Ladsous said.

CNN: Rights group: 'Annan plan has been ineffective'

But the presence of the tiny but growing U.N. observer team is having a "dampening effect" on what has been an atmosphere of "appalling" violence, said U.N.

CNN: U.N. notes cease-fire violations from both sides in Syria

This is that a lens produces its biggest effect when it is halfway between source and observer.

ECONOMIST: Cosmology: I spy with my little gravitational lens | The