Greg, I never said that Assad leads a "liberal democratic government", if he did he would have been beheaded years ago and the Caliphate would include the whole of Syria.
What I did say, was that the West pretend that a "liberal democratic government" can survive.

It did not come to pass in Egypt, Libya, or Iraq, why should it be different in Syria?

On a more personal note, your posts on other subjects are getting you into trouble and you seem to be losing concentration on this one, take a couple of days off to collect your thoughts or you will end up like some of the sad GUESTS who are reduced to mindless insult.

I do respect your plain speaking here and you are not a bitter ideologist like some UKers......just friendly advice Ake.