I totally agree with you, solution number 1 is the best. Assad said his people wasnt ready for Democracy. And he was right same goes for Iraq, Saddam said the same thing. I think most common sensed people with some or little knowledge of the region can agree with both Assad and Saddam regarding Democracy, none of thier countries was ready for democracy, just yet.
Fun fact from my neighbours and customers at work:
Iraq wasnt a disater before US went in there. It struggles financialy because external factors and Embargos and an ill will to pay taxes from the people.
Most of my neighbours and customers at work are former Iraq/syrian refugess (I live in Sodertalje, Sweden, a town that has taken more refugess from the middle east then whole of America). They said all the same thing. Before Americans came to Iraq all people in Iraq where Iraqies. It didnt matter if you where Christian or Muslim.
I personally never supported the Iraq war because the US and its allies where there solely for the oil anyone not agreeing on this is just.....well "miss informed".
According to my relatives from Syrian Muslims and Christian lived in peace before the Iraq war and even during the Iraq. Notice how I said before/during the Iraq war? According to my cousin these groups fighting Assad where merceneries funded by the local countries Qatar, Saudi etc. (just like some of you mentioned). But the issue in Syria got out of hand when the US went in to Iraq, even though Saddam was a cruel dictator you could imagine what he did with terrorists. And theese merceneries could roam more free then ever before.
I hope none of you Americans or British people take this bad. But your goverments have contributed to the problem more then Assad and Saddam and I think George W Bush and Tony Blairs administration should be put before court in Haag. It was all a lie and everyone knows it. The war has cost 165 000 Iraqies (not sure some sources say over a 1 000 000) and circa 4 500 American lives. All lives are important no matter what religon or nationalty!
Sorry for any misspelling English isnt my mother tongue.
