Assad certainly has a valid point. The fact that he has so far prevailed, with Russian and Iranian help, in defeating the most concerted and destructive effort so far that tried to put an end to his family’s rule in Syria has upset and angered many, including some of his neighbors and others in the region, especially Sunnis and in particular Sunni Arabs.
Recall that under the Assads, Syria has been the “Syrian Arab Republic” and not the “Islamic Republic of Syria” or the like. It remains a secular state, albeit one that is an adversary of Israel and which has kept its ties with Russia despite the fall of the USSR.
But the Sunni Arab opponents of the Assads are unlikely to quit. Assad, as he is an Alawite, is a sectarian not regarded as a Muslim by the Sunnis and can only claim the title of a Shi’a due to they payoff to Musa Sadr by his father. Assad remains the protector of his heretic Alawite sectarian group, as well as of Syria’s Christian, Druze, Kurd, and other minorities that would be endangered by an Islamist victory.
What the west really fears about Syria’s victory is that simultaneously, monkeys will start flying out of all our a$$es and hell will begin to freeze over.
Oh, and in my smartass answer I failed to credit you with a very astute and provocative observation.
Sunni Arabs.
Aren’t they the ones responsible for 9/11 and Las Vegas?
Assad is absolutely right. Every time Syria has a victory over the Islamofascist scum it seems the Western powers find a reason to attack him.
You have to wonder whose side they’re on?
It’s sounds like the same old crap used to demonize Saddam Hussein. Another secular country, a bulwark against Iran and protective of Christians. Bush and his foreign policy geniuses/neocons. built up the rationale for military adventurism in the middle east. And what did that yield? Same mistake being made all over again but I don’t think Russia will let it happen this time,
The ignorance of our politicians/governmen is breathtaking as can be seen every day on every subject. Zero knowledge of history...Napoleonic Wars,Concert of Europe, Metternich, balance of power.etc. We may not be lucky this time if we push it too far. Henry Kissinger was about the last one to have a clue but he was European.