Replies

Maybe, but the the problems he is having in Lebanon can be easily transferred to Syria. What if instead of Beirut, you have 1.5 million people in the streets of Damascus? How long can the regime survive? Obviously it is now harder to stop manifestations since he has 150 000 US troops on his border. Would it no be better for him to give us the WMD's, then blame it all on the Hezbollahs and Iran? This way he becomes a Ga-daffy or a Mubarak, i.e. a new champion of change. Obviously he gets to stay in power.

Anything is kind of speculation at this point. We do know that Assad is weaker than his father, and the military hardliners don't like that. On the other hand, "Hama rules" may come into play, and that would be worst case, especially if they have the WMD.

What you suggest I have seen floated as well. The possiblity that he is negotiating with the U.S. to suddenly go good, become a national hero, and keep his status through a fair election that overwhelmingly sweeps him into office.

Like I said, anything like this is speculative. I'm just waiting to see what happens. I don't think a giant protest will erupt in Damascus though.