`` He 's got a whole group around him , many of whom are from the old guard and they keep the pressure going , '' with `` Soviet-style tactics that other repressive regimes have used . '' Syria 's Bashar al-Assad 's benefited from `` Soviet-style tactics , '' an activist says . The president has portrayed himself as a reformer but is ruthless , scholars say . Ethnic rivalries figure into support for the regime . Comment:
Syria 's Bashar al-Assad 's benefited from `` Soviet-style tactics , '' an activist says . The president has portrayed himself as a reformer but is ruthless , scholars say . Ethnic rivalries figure into support for the regime . Comment: