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Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/10/04/opinion/edperthes.php
Syria: It's All Over, But It Could Be Messy
(International Herald Tribune) Volker Perthes - Bashar Assad's regime in Syria has reached its end phase, even if it manages to hang on to power for months or years. This is so almost irrespective of what the UN prosecutor will say in his report about the alleged role of Syria in the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri of Lebanon. Assad's regime has lost the confidence and support of many of Syria's people and elites. Its mismanagement of Lebanon led to a humiliating withdrawal and opened Syria to an international investigation that deeply infringes upon its sovereignty. Assad has misread major regional and international developments, thereby isolating Syria internationally, and has failed to deliver any political reform.