In a recent interview (May 30), Syrian president Bashar al-Assad offered an unusually poised and confident take on Syria's current predicament.

He raised serious questions about the opposition — some of them not unlike those posed in the West. He minimizes the prospect of a Golan front against Israel and the meaning of the S-300 deal with Russia. He responds like a politician to questions about his intentions in 2014 and what he doesn't say, such as refusing to declare his candidacy when he could easily have done so, is at times as interesting and perhaps as important as what he does say. For example, his willingness "in principle" to go to Geneva.

One need not agree with Assad's views in order to learn something from them. But for those making policies aimed at toppling the regime, the interview illuminates the many challenges, and some potential opportunities, on the long road ahead.

"Assad said exactly what needed to be said," explained a close observer of Syrian affairs. The president's position has never been as strong in the last two years as it is today, and his military forces are operating in a more cohesive manner, notwithstanding the fact that he has lost effective control over half the country.