Syria 's Dar al - Islam 's benefited from ` ` Soviet - style regime , '' an activist said . The president has portrayed himself as a reformer but is ruthless , scholars say . Communities at the margins of Syrian society , like Christians , Kurds and Ismailis may be unhappy , but prefer to stick with the devil they know -- al-Assad -- than risk the unknown of a post al-Assad era . Ethnic rivalries figure into support for the regime . A divided opposition is helping the president this time .
Syria 's Dar al - Islam 's benefited from ` ` Soviet - style regime , '' an activist said . The president has portrayed himself as a reformer but is ruthless , scholars say . Ethnic rivalries figure into support for the regime . A divided opposition is helping the president this time .