King Abdullah calls on Assad to step down

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15723023

Does Assad see the handwriting on the wall?

If Qadaffi would have been intelligent enough to see the handwriting on the wall at this stage, he probably could have negotiated himself a pleasant retirement in Dubai or something with hundreds of millions in the bank for himself and his intact family. But he wasn't. So he and many of his family members are dead and buried in some unmarked grave somewhere.

Is Assad intelligent enough to see the handwriting on the wall? Or in his case, does the handwriting say that without western intervention, they're not going to be able to topple him?

Assad is really isolated now, having only Iran as allies, and there's not much they can do to keep him in power. It seems like a matter of time before the Syrian regime collapses.

Interesting opinion article about the new role of the Arab League, once a club of dictators, but now even autocratic regimes like those in Saudi Arabia and Jordan are worried their power might be in danger too, and they are showing support for the new Arab Spring regimes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15714771

I don't think he can step down without losing his life at this point, unless somebody gives him asylum. No matter what kind of deal he makes, there will be clamor for his prosecution and execution which will make the clamor against Pinochet and his deal look like a coffee house debate.

Originally posted by Kunsoo
I don't think he can step down without losing his life at this point, unless somebody gives him asylum. No matter what kind of deal he makes, there will be clamor for his prosecution and execution which will make the clamor against Pinochet and his deal look like a coffee house debate.

Originally posted by sh76
If Assad one day announced that he would give up power and most of his wealth (saving maybe $10m) and do whatever he needed to in order to ensure a peaceful power transition in exchange for a beach house on Maui and a guarantee of security from the United States, you don't think everyone involved would jump at it?