France fears Islamist rise in Syria unless opposition helped

[pampango]

10. I agree. As the rate of defections has declined and fewer civilians join, the supply of fighters

shifts. Assad's military has proven to be very strong, even with some defections early on, which is no surprise. That was always Assad's ace in the hole. How do you get rid of a dictator who has one of the strongest militaries around and is not afraid to use it.

It is very unfortunate that the violence has gone on for so long and with the predictable result that the more violent wings of the opposition become more and more dominant. If there could have been a resolution early on the dynamic would have been much different.

I had not observed a France-led move to involve NATO. If the US does not participate (I agree that it is doubtful that it will) that idea will go nowhere.

Assad is not home free yet, but I agree that is looking more and more likely that he will survive with his powers intact. I suppose that counts as a victory for him if not for the majority of the Syrian people. One has to give him credit for opposing any negotiated opening of the regime that many thought was possible in 2011. The path he has chosen has been brutal for Syria but may turn out to be quite good for him.