Is Assad “holding the country together?” And who said anything about guarantees. If you want a guarantee in life go to Midas.
Assad (with Russian help was winning albeit slowly). The U.S. literally has “boots on the ground” training “Syrian Rebels”. Why would the Russians just bend over and accept a new leader who is an unknown? Assad is doing what they want him to do. Sorry, but Trumps move is looking dumber and dumber to all but the Neo-Cons, Leftists, and cognitively-challenged Right.
Is Assad “holding the country together?”
My guess is he does it better than whoever comes next. You seem fairly confident the next guy will be better, based on... nothing apparently. No thought. Just impulsive action.