Disturbing, not disappointing

That’s the best that can be said about President Bashar al Assad’s speech today, in which he blamed the demonstrations in Syria on foreign conspiracies, accused his opponents of having an Israeli agenda, and promised, once again, still unspecified reforms.  No lifting of the emergency laws, no opening of the political space to parties other than his Ba’ath, no moves against corruption. Emphasis on stability and the economy, not on opening the political system.

Now it is up to the Syrians to respond.  Their first real opportunity will be Friday, when it is hard for the regime to prevent people from gathering for prayers.  But one lady already took her shot:

I wonder what happened to her thereafter.

Can anyone still be disappointed?  The guy is absolutely consistent in avoiding serious reform.  It’s not disappointing, it’s disturbing. The people it should disturb most are John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, who have been at pains to give him the benefit of the doubt.