Egypt and Arab States circle toilet bowl

[classicman]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

The Syrian rebels have me quite impressed.

They don't waste ammo firing into the air in celebration.

Their battlefield tactics are competent - teams with covering fire, orders being followed - things that were conspicuously absent in Libya.

They seem to have a coherent strategy, including seizing border crossings to friendly countries (= arms supply) and are making a stand in Aleppo.

Assad still has air power, though.

Its almost as if they are being coached, trained and coordinated...
Hmm.

[ZenGum]

Well, quite a few are deserters from the army.

The saudis seem to be meddling. Iran is the only local friend Assad has. And Russia and China.

Kofi has finally chucked in the towel. He's given it every effort, but it has long since been hopeless.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Kofi has finally chucked in the towel. He's given it every effort, but it has long since been hopeless.

We'll be seeing him anon.

[tw]

Every war has a strategic objective and an end game. The planning for an inevitable peace. What could Assad be thinking? Or is he that deep in denial? From this perspective, yes. But really, nobody is that naive. What are his alternatives and possible plans?

[glatt]

Assad didn't choose to go to war. His objective is to not lose the war somebody else started.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by tw

Every war has a strategic objective and an end game. The planning for an inevitable peace. What could Assad be thinking? Or is he that deep in denial? From this perspective, yes. But really, nobody is that naive. What are his alternatives and possible plans?

Defeat the rebels and rule as a tyrant? Other rulers have done it.

[ZenGum]

What PH said. He's clinging to power because that's all he knows. He doesn't give a damn about this silly "peace", he just wants to stay in power. His clique and supporters know that if the revolution wins, there's going to be pay back for decades of tyranny. #$"% 'em.

[tw]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

He doesn't give a damn about this silly "peace", he just wants to stay in power.

Two recent examples of why that strategy does not work were west of him. Meanwhile, Idi Amin and Baby Doc Duvalier both retired rich elsewhere. Why not learn from their examples? Why remain entrenched in a slowly decaying and apparently unwinnable situation?

Well it amazes me how many just know they are right. The so many who got angry because they just knew smoking cigarettes increase health. Or just knew Saddam had WMDs. In both cases, the facts and numbers said something completely different.

Amazing how many will insist the facts and history must be wrong. And amazing that so many of us do it.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by tw

Well it amazes me how many just know they are right. The so many who got angry because they just knew smoking cigarettes increase health. Or just knew Saddam had WMDs. In both cases, the facts and numbers said something completely different.

Every situation is different so the cigarette example doesn't apply. Assad probably thought he learned from Mubarak and Gaddafi's mistakes. He did, in some ways, but not enough. Now, he is going to keep digging because he can't escape.

[ZenGum]

You should email Assad and explain that to him. Stubbornness, ego, pride and self delusion are common traits among tyrants.

Heck even Kofi Annan has publicly said the regime will fall.

[Griff]

Assad only cares for money as it serves power. Power is the drug.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Griff

Assad only cares for money as it serves power. Power is the drug.

Or is he just dumb ... like a fox. Making preparations for a cushy retirement.