Hampson: What would be the regional fallout from the end of Assad’s regime?

The Libyan domino probably won’t knock over the Syrian domino. Why? Gaddafi only fell with the assistance of six months of NATO air strikes, which were critical to the rebel victory. There is no such appetite for similar action by NATO, the UN Security Council, or the Arab League in the case of Syria. Assad also has a professional army and an iron grip on his inner political circle. No Gaddafi-like defections here to give strength to the insurgency. He will be difficult to pry loose even as the streets of Syria turn red with the blood of its citizens.