Syrian uprising will end soon but....

Syria will have regime change soon, that much is clear from the events of the last 7 days. It is merely a question of when Assad flees or dies in Damascus, not if. His regime may still be heavily armed, and enjoy the ongoing tacit support of the Russians but the fighting is getting ever closer in Damascus. Reports of rebel control of Iraqi border controls, mass defections, violent fighting in the northern city of Aleppo and the deaths of key generals and family members this week point to a dynasty on a fast slope down the dictators exit ramp. But what will replace Assad? Will they be able to introduce democracy or will Syria sink under the weight of its conflicting religious and tribal differences? I visited Beirut last year and met many Syrians living over the border in Lebanon. They were not supporters of Assad, but many asked whether the replacement regime would be better. I can find very few supporters of the Assad regime, given the way it is trying, and succeeding, in killing so many of their own countrymen. All want peaceful regime change, but few expect this to end well. The end is coming, and for the law abiding Syrian it cannot come too soon. But, as always, be careful what you wish for.