Assad is misunderstood by foreign observers as some kind of Ba’athist ideologue. But the figure he most resembles ideologically is actually Tony Blair and his “Third Way” ideology. Syria’s anti-sectarian propaganda is like an advert for British multiculturalism circa 1999.
Assad’s project was always about “modernisation” and faith in technology (he was leader of the Syria computer society). I think he feels betrayed by the West...his country is “feminist” by 2004 standards etc..he’s done everything “right” but no dice.