Obviously catching up with the news etc but quite confused. Although incredibly oppressive, it wasn't exactly an Islamist regime under al-Assad, was it? Was it a Western-backed regime at one point?
The coalition of groups that toppled the government - are these Islamist? Are they actually pro-democracy? What does it mean for the future if Syria? Will it be become like Afghanistan under the Tablian? Syrians seem pretty elated (based on photos in the media, etc) - why is this? Why have Russia and Iran supported Syria? What is Baathism?