U-505, while I basically agree with what you have said especially about the Alawites being in control of the levers of power. I recently watched a video of an alawite community burying their dead. I agree they are on the wrong side of history, but the ‘average’ Alawite is not a local governor or general. They are a relatively poor parent burying a dead child. But they do feel like a cornered animal and yes partly due to their own actions, but only partly.
The Alawites would be oppressed even if they don’t have a history of blood on their hands. Alawites are a offshoot of Shia Islam. Many Sunnis are killing Shias just for being Shia. Al Qaeda supporters generally fall into this category. Shias are being killed in Pakistan by Sunnis all the time and if you look at Iraq, it’s Sunnis mostly bombing Shias, of course the Shia are now in charge of Iraq with the Sunni VP under a death sentence by the Shia administration. Alawites are considered far worse heretics than Shia by the majority Sunni. When the Alawite power structure falls, the powers that be knowing a blood bath will ensue if Sunni extremists are not reigned in ought to do everything they can to prevent a bloodbath.
Yes, Alawite leaders are gulity and yes the average uneducated alawite supporter is guilty of support of this murderous regime. I however suggest you check out this link. There are two sides to every story. In this case one side is very wrong but we can still feel for their plight I think and understand their point of view in order to help end this terrible situation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19699446
and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19425458
I think you are bang on vis-a-vis your observations on Turkey/Syria
