Assad's last hurrah: as he hits Libya-level crisis we look at the parallels

Assad and Gaddafi: age aside, the similarities are obvious. Or are they? Although the Syrian chaos is more often compared to Iraq, we take a look at a less obvious, but quite tempting, parallel to get a feel of whether the end is nigh for the Syrian dictator.  Since Libya's downfall came first, we can see the signs of a leader's demise playing out now in Assad's regime.

 

Today's news that almost half of Syria's second city, the strategic northern Aleppo, is now under control is a stark reminder of the Benghazi rebel stronghold last year. In Libya, the rebels used this point of strength to attack the capital but with loyal supporters still clinging on in Damascus, can the FSA do the same?

 

And what will become of the now infamous Syrian president? While he gave less delusional speeches than the late Libyan dictator, like Gaddafi, he has given up the battlefield for a safer hiding place but will he face the same grizzly fate once the rebels find him? Some critics have said FSA brutality is a hindrance to a successful post-revolution government. And the Syrian 'rebel's' after all have the advantage of hindsight and learning they can glean from the Libyan story. For Gaddafi, there was no restraint shown in the manner of his murder or the subsequent far-fetched rumors of his resurrection.