Mr. Assad has decisively defied President Obama’s two-year-old prediction that his days were “numbered.”

"...As government forces seize the last insurgent strongholds along the Lebanese border, securing the strategic corridor from Damascus to the coast, President Bashar al-Assad’s home region, the message from the government is clear: It is winning, and it can afford to be magnanimous. It is offering what it calls reconciliation to repentant opponents, and some are accepting....
Mr. Assad has decisively defied President Obama’s two-year-old prediction that his days were “numbered.” He capitalized on strong support from his Syrian base and from Hezbollah, Russia and Iran; the disarray of domestic and international foes; and the rise of extremist insurgents who drained sympathy for the revolt among Syrian fence-sitters and many early supporters..."