“Taking out the legitimately elected Assad Government.” Here is a report on the Assad government and elections.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_presidential_election,_2014
Of particular interest is this quote: “Attempts to hold an election (in 2014) under the circumstances of an ongoing civil war were criticized by UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon,[15] and it was widely reported that the elections lacked independent election monitoring.[16] However, an international delegation led by allies of Assad[17] from more than 30 countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, India, Iran, Iraq, Nicaragua, Russia, South Africa and Venezuela[18][19] issued a statement claiming the election was “free, fair and transparent”.[20]”
I am surprised that you as a FReeper would consider any election designated as “free, fair and transparent” by Cuba,Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, among others as legitimately elected.