His Position Still Secure, Bashar al-Assad Smiles as Syria Burns Though Mr. Assad’s standing has been diminished, he is able to present himself as the leader his nation needs to get through a war for which he denies any responsibility. Share: Facebook Twitter Google+ Stumble Digg Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to Facebook Related Posts:What in the World: After Mudslides and Flooding in Iceland, Elves Are SuspectsEditorial: Mr. Corbyn’s Labour PartyExtremist Gets 9-Year Sentence Over Destroyed Shrines in TimbuktuMore Than 9 in 10 People Breathe Bad Air, W.H.O. Study SaysMemo From Brazil: Brazilian Politics Smother a Film’s Oscar AmbitionsWoman Who Took Husband’s Intestine on Flight Wanted It Tested, Lawyer Says