> As for Assad, it's hard to see how a person responsible for the deaths of over 300K of his own people could ever really hold on to power with or without forei

> As for Assad, it's hard to see how a person responsible for the deaths of over 300K of his own people could ever really hold on to power with or without foreign support. The US has experience in supporting an unpopular foreign leader (south Vietnam) and it didn't go that well. As I say this with a gut-wrenching knot in my stomach, I prefer him vs the alternative due to recent history. As it is right on the doorstep of Russia and Iran, let them deal with the consequences if they want him in office that badly.