Syrian Arab Republic

[Khandro]

President Asad claims that he is defending a legal, presidential, secular regime against its overthrow by terrorists wishing for its replacement by a non-secular government represented by the Muslim brotherhood.
Does he have a point?

[ichkeria]

The trouble with Assad is, he lost whatever sympathy he might (and probably would) have got from the civilised world when he started employing his late dad's tactics in attempting to suppress dissent by, effectively, genocide.
His days are numbered, but what lies in store as an alternative for Syria is uncertain. As long as the people who preach (even peaceful) non-intervention even don't start moaning if the outcome does not turn out to be any better.

[Khandro]

Looking at Egypt, I'm reminded that someone once said " When tearing down the statues of tyrants, keep the plinths - they always come in handy".

[jno]

he might well do; Syria was always fairly secular, like Turkey. Unforunately when secular leaders turn out to be murderous tyrants, people get to thinking they'd be no worse in an Islamic theocracy.