Syrian dictator Bashar Assad has been away from the public eye since a spectacular suicide bombing attack rocked Damascus, killing the defense minister and other key officials. Unconfirmed reports stated Assad has fled the capital; either to his Alawite stronghold in Latakia or to his erstwhile ally Russia. His whereabouts have become the case of further speculation after he praised his troops not in a public address or even a pre-audio recording, but in the magazine of the armed forces.
Although the Syrian military possesses superior weaponry, the tide may be turning in favor of the rebels. The Free Syrian Army has recently captured tanks and other heavy weapons from the regime, and surface to air missiles, allegedly from Turkey.
Perhaps more significant, it was reported that President Obama has authorized support to the rebels in order to eliminate Assad. This includes the transferring of weapons, logistics and intelligence sharing among Washington, NATO, and its Arab allies with the Syria opposition.
This cooperation coupled with the rebels’ determination to overthrow Assad could actually achieve similar results as in Libya. The rebels may be able to kill Assad and perhaps members of his inner circle, but unlike Libya, however, they probably cannot liquidate Syria’s entire ruling elite, government structure and security apparatus. It’s simply too deeply entrenched and expansive...
http://michaelsharnoff.com/2012/08/03/the-rebels-in-post-assad-syria/