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Syria's Resilient Revolt
(Wall Street Journal) Amir Taheri - Of all regimes challenged by the "Arab Spring," that of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is the most brutal and most capable of retaining power. However, since March the current revolt has spread to virtually every town across the country. The balance of power is clearly shifting against the Assad clan. All of the 18 ethnic and religious communities are taking an active part in the uprising. Unlike 1982, the uprising is not confined to the majority Sunni Muslims, some 70% of the population. It is equally supported by Christians, some 12% of the population, and Muslims including Ismailis, Yazidis, Druze and even Assad's own Nusairi (Alawite) sect. Ethnic communities such as Kurds, Turkmen and Circassians have also joined the revolt. The 190-member Syrian National Council, created earlier this month, is a coalition of seven parties and more than two dozen associations which represents all of Syria's ethnic and religious communities. It has brought together the Muslim Brotherhood, democratic and liberal groups, dissidents of the ruling Baath Party, and even Kurdish parties seeking independence, under one umbrella.