Liz Sly: Bashar al-Assad's fall was quick and unforeseen-- however the signs were always there

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Bashar al-Assad ruled his country with an iron fist for 24 years, as his father had done for 30 years before him
When he appeared to prevail in Syria&s civil war, it was widely assumed he would remain in power until he was ready to hand over to his own
son.