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I'm sure people said the exact same thing about the Syrian military and police that stayed loyal to Assad. 9 years later...

daliusd 6y ago
IMHO it is not fair to compare Syria with Belarus as Syria is multi-religion country with Syrian dictator representing ruling minority (Alawites), Belarus meanwhile is monolithic country in whatever way you will look at it (religious, ethnic and etc.).
- HenryBemis 6y ago
  A part of not assassinating Assad is that he was fighting the extremists (aka ISIS), so to that aspect there was a common ground between Syrian gov, Russia, USA & allies. Yes he is a bad dude (replace with profanity). Democracy is a rumor over there, a fantasy.
  - skitout 6y ago
    ISIS was not a significant player at the beginning of the events in Syria. And Assad helped ISIS by freeing men [1], then not really targeting it during the first part of the war. ISIS (and other extremist) were fighting against other Assad's enemies, and it help portraying all opposition as dangerous extremists edit : [1] https://www.newsweek.com/how-syrias-assad-helped-forge-isis-255631 https://www.newsweek.com/how-syrias-assad-helped-forge-isis-...
    - Synaesthesia 6y ago
      A lot of the opposition is practically indistinguishable from ISIS, namely extremist religious (Wahhabism) terrorists. Eg El Nusra front ..The Syrian government is tolerant of other religions, far preferable.
      - skitout 6y ago
        My point is not to say what is preferable. I was just pointing that saying "A part of not assassinating Assad is that he was fighting the extremists (aka ISIS)" is not true, as ISIS was a minor player at the beginning, and as Assad and ISIS shared some interests during the first half of the war, and somehow helped each other. It is not a judgement, it is a fact.
- bpodgursky 6y ago
  Why do you think that's an important distinction in this case?
- sam_lowry_ 6y ago
  Religion-wise, Belarus is mostly Orthodox with a Catholic minority. But the vast majority of the population is not religious, so while this matters a bit culturally, it has no impact on current events. Ethnically, it is rather monolithic, indeed. And there are no big geographic differences.

daliusd 6y ago

IMHO it is not fair to compare Syria with Belarus as Syria is multi-religion country with Syrian dictator representing ruling minority (Alawites), Belarus meanwhile is monolithic country in whatever way you will look at it (religious, ethnic and etc.).

HenryBemis 6y ago
A part of not assassinating Assad is that he was fighting the extremists (aka ISIS), so to that aspect there was a common ground between Syrian gov, Russia, USA & allies. Yes he is a bad dude (replace with profanity). Democracy is a rumor over there, a fantasy.
- skitout 6y ago
  ISIS was not a significant player at the beginning of the events in Syria. And Assad helped ISIS by freeing men [1], then not really targeting it during the first part of the war. ISIS (and other extremist) were fighting against other Assad's enemies, and it help portraying all opposition as dangerous extremists edit : [1] https://www.newsweek.com/how-syrias-assad-helped-forge-isis-255631 https://www.newsweek.com/how-syrias-assad-helped-forge-isis-...
  - Synaesthesia 6y ago
    A lot of the opposition is practically indistinguishable from ISIS, namely extremist religious (Wahhabism) terrorists. Eg El Nusra front ..The Syrian government is tolerant of other religions, far preferable.
    - skitout 6y ago
      My point is not to say what is preferable. I was just pointing that saying "A part of not assassinating Assad is that he was fighting the extremists (aka ISIS)" is not true, as ISIS was a minor player at the beginning, and as Assad and ISIS shared some interests during the first half of the war, and somehow helped each other. It is not a judgement, it is a fact.
bpodgursky 6y ago
Why do you think that's an important distinction in this case?
sam_lowry_ 6y ago
Religion-wise, Belarus is mostly Orthodox with a Catholic minority. But the vast majority of the population is not religious, so while this matters a bit culturally, it has no impact on current events. Ethnically, it is rather monolithic, indeed. And there are no big geographic differences.