U.S. prepares for “day after” Assad French President Chirac: Assad gov't won't survive pullout, Pentagon and White House officials meet to discuss assistance for Syria if it happens By Yitzhak Benhorin French president says he won't last. AssadPhoto: ReutersWASHINGTON - The U.S. government is preparing for the possibility that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government will fall as a result of the Syrian pullout from Lebanon. Senior Pentagon and White House officials participated in a special meeting Thursday at the State Department to discuss preparations for the possible collapse of the Baath party in Syria. Representatives of Syrian opposition groups were...