It’s make or break for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, not only on the battlefield
Credit: Enab Baladi By James M. Dorsey Hi and welcome. if you appreciate this type of content, consider upgrading to a paid subscription, to help ensure that independent journalism and analysis survive. Without your support this kind of hard-hitting, fact-based analysis would not be possible. To watch a video version of this story or listen to an audio podcast click here. Thank you for your support and loyalty. A week into a rebel offensive, Syria is the potential fulcrum of a tectonic reordering of Middle Eastern geopolitics with President Bashar al-Assad as a key player. That is if Mr. Al-Assad is willing to play ball this time around. An earlier Gulf attempt to drive a wedge between the Syrian leader and Iran by returning Syria to the Arab and Muslim fold failed because sweeping US sanctions prevented wealthy Arab states from investing in the reconstruction of Syria’s war-ravaged economy. The move restored Syrian memb...