There is a relatively seductive and possibly correct argument that stability and predictability trumps human rights. It's the reason Russians can be nostalgic

There is a relatively seductive and possibly correct argument that stability and predictability trumps human rights. It's the reason Russians can be nostalgic for Stalin, etc. Revolution is messy. If the activists who were pressuring Assad for reforms had known that his reaction and the counter-reaction would lead to 250k+ deaths and the destruction of their country, would they have pushed as hard? Would they have been content with a phased approach, even though that would mean continued violations of their human rights?