Victory for Bashar? Yes. But the President has more important duties to focus on than celebration

Image source:  CBC News

For a long time after the start of the Syrian war in 2011, sponsors of the proxies were confidently viewing Assad as the next Muammar Gaddafi to be murdered at the hands of America's terrorists.  Unfortunately for them, he continues to be in control as the winner and pursues his strategy to expel the marauders whom the late John McCain loved to decorate with fanciful medals.  

Though it's impossible for any non-partisan person to overlook Assad's determination and fortitude protecting his country's autonomy, anti Assad circles are too uncomfortable to link him with any ideas of a victory.   The frustrated rhetoric persists .... "no one will ever see Assad as the rightful leader of Syria (because of Iranian involvement)" and "Syria will never be like before."  Let's not judge by looking at the damaged infrastructure, an aspect that is always resilient.  But ask any unprejudiced investigative reporter or writer;  they will tell you that the post-war Syrian army has emerged stronger than before.  It has gained a load of experience on tactical warfare, logistics, defense and its requirements and handling of foreign interference / scheming / manipulation.    As mainstream circles publish comments from anti-Assad analysts and a handful of Syrian defectors, none have attempted to answer the simplest question that if so many Syrians were against Assad, this was their opportunity of a lifetime to join the 'opposition' in throngs and kick him out.   By far the greater majority decided not to.  Why?

Yet no one, including the President, has put those tragic and bloodied 7 long years behind them.  Assad recently stated that this isn't the time to celebrate victory. 

“We have this romantic view sometimes that we are victorious. No. The war is not over.   The “siege” imposed by foreign states.  The siege is a battle in itself.  It is intensifying compared to previous years.” -  Pres. Bashar al-Assad, March 2019 (Reuters).