Assad Knows How and When To Concede

A good point from Qifa Nabki on the Syrian President’s knack for bending with the wind:

While the regime has a reputation for being conservative and not gambling in its strategic choices, it can be induced to move rather quickly when stability is at stake. In 2005, Syria’s withdrawal from Lebanon was carried out far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, and proved to be a winning decision (despite looking like a dangerous capitulation by a weak and untested young president, at the time)

In other words, if you’re expecting a Ben Ali / Mubarak downward spiral of concessions that culminates in defeat, you might want to think again..