If you study Syria's strategic position, you will find that they are what in geopolitical circles is known as "deep doodoo". Israel to the west, the U.S. to the east, and Turkey to the north, all of whom despise Bashar Assad. Israeli land forces are 30 miles from Damascus, and Syria wouldn't last 3 days in a shooting war. That being the case, you have to wonder how smart this kind of bluster is.
Bashar Assad: The evil moron who's running Syria.
I think it very likely that Assad is the figurehead of a government that is actually controlled by his father's cronies. He is in no way suited to be a political leader, either by inclination, experience, or brains.