Russia will want to have the biggest say in who replaces Assad. They’re not likely to support someone who is not willing to help them kill terrorists.
Hahaha. Regardless of who Russia selects, they can’t guarantee the guy is skillful enough to keep the country together. The United States can’t guarantee Iraq isn’t a hotbed of terrorism, but Russia can guarantee that Syria isn’t? It might work, if they are lucky.
Is Assad “holding the country together?” And who said anything about guarantees. If you want a guarantee in life go to Midas.