Assad says he's winning in bloody crackdown

The Syrian government has gained the upper hand over a seven-week uprising against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, a senior official declared Monday, in the clearest sign yet that the leadership believes its crackdown will crush protests that have begun to falter in the face of hundreds of deaths and mass arrests.

The remarks by Bouthaina Shaaban, an adviser to Mr. Assad who often serves as an official spokeswoman, suggested that a government accustomed to adapting in the face of crises was prepared to weather international condemnation and sanctions. Her confidence came in stark contrast to appearances just two weeks ago, when the government seemed to stagger before the breadth and resilience of protests in dozens of towns and cities.

"I hope we are witnessing the end of the story," she said in an hourlong interview, for which a reporter was allowed in Syria for only a few hours. "I think now we've passed the most dangerous moment. I hope so, I think so."

Her comments were a rare window on the thinking of a government that has barred most foreign journalists from Syria since the start of the uprising, which has threatened 40 years of rule by the Assad family. While much of the world has viewed the unrest as a popular demand for sweeping change in one of the region's most authoritarian countries, Ms. Shaaban cast it as an armed uprising, a characterization the government has relied on to justify a ferocious crackdown.

I suppose congratulations are in order for Assad and a great big thank you extended to the Iranians whose Rev Guards proved to be decisively ruthless in the street battles.

Also due some thanks from the Syrian president are President Barack Obama of the United States and the rest of western civilization who proved their hypocrisy by turning a blind eye to the slaughter in Syria while bombing hell out of Gaddafi in Libya.

I guess we only jump on certain kinds of mass murderers. Others, get a pass.