Just viewed "Inside Syria", hosted by Mike Hanna. No link as not yet on the web.
The Russian political analyst, Dimitri Babich, had some interesting points to make:-
a) Russia wrote off Syria's debt of 11 bil (USD?) 3-4 years ago. So he says that they have no $$ to gain from supporting Assad
(- but it's quite obvious that they will try to recover a part of that 11bil)
b) Opposition so fragmented that even if Assad leaves, there will be no guarantee that minority interests eg. Alawite, will be not ridden roughshod over
(-not his words, but a good point, looking at the state of disarray that the opposition is in. And having Brig Gen Manaf Tlas as unifier - will that work? Since he was a close friend of Assad and son of former Defence Munister - while strategically, he will have the relevant intangible knowledge of the situation on the ground and insider information, but what if his loyalty actually lies with Assad?)
Just viewed "Inside Syria", hosted by Mike Hanna. No link as not yet on the web.
The Russian political analyst, Dimitri Babich, had some interesting points to make:-
a) Russia wrote off Syria's debt of 11 bil (USD?) 3-4 years ago. So he says that they have no $$ to gain from supporting Assad
(- but it's quite obvious that they will try to recover a part of that 11bil)
b) Opposition so fragmented that even if Assad leaves, there will be no guarantee that minority interests eg. Alawite, will be not ridden roughshod over
(-not his words, but a good point, looking at the state of disarray that the opposition is in. And having Brig Gen Manaf Tlas as unifier - will that work? Since he was a close friend of Assad and son of former Defence Munister - while strategically, he will have the relevant intangible knowledge of the situation on the ground and insider information, but what if his loyalty actually lies with Assad?)