COMMENTARY | As the Syrian uprising nears the end of its first year, CNN has painted a portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as a weak leader, dominated by the country's military, unable to enact reforms or restrain the Army's brutal crackdown.
One of the problems is Assad was never groomed to be a leader by his father, the former dictator of Syria, Hafez al-Assad. He is described as being both brutal and indecisive, unlike his father who was decidedly brutal and decisive. He is buffeted by various factions within his own government, not being able to make up his mind.
This might be the crux of the problem facing Syria. Assad has not been able to bring himself to let loose his military in an all-out war against his own people, to quickly crush the rebellion at all costs. His father Hafez had no qualms about doing so, as he did in 1982 when he used tanks and artillery against a rebellion in the town of Hama that killed thousands.
On the other hand, Assad seems incapable to initiating reforms that might appease the rebels. By now, after so many months with the rebellion still raging, with thousands dead, and the international community combining against him, it is likely too late for Assad to find a solution that results in his remaining in power. The question arises, then, whether he will leave on his own accord or feet first.
Assad resembles two other weak leaders who were faced with rebellion in the country's they ruled.
Louis XVI of France was unable to either accommodate or crush the uprising he was faced with in 1789. As a result, he found himself without his crown and, shortly thereafter, without his head. France was plunged into a 25 year long horror that featured the Great Terror and the glorious but ultimately ruinous reign of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Czar Nicholas II of Russia underwent a similar process, with demands for more freedom by various political factions and a horrific involvement in World War II led to his toppling and later execution with his entire family by Bolshevik rebels. Russia suffered for over 70 years under Communist rule before the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Few people will shed tears if Bashar Assad suffers the fate of Louis or Nicholas. But after Assad, whither Syria? The triumph of Islamists in other Arab countries does not give one much comfort.
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