NYT on Bashar al-Assad, 1999-2000: "English- & French-speaking Internet enthusiast," "quiet, thoughtful bachelor," "different from his father," "developed an affection for the West," "personally favored lifting...hidebound Syria's restrictions" https://t.co/DPqxEAZC8W
NYT on Shah of Iran, 1957: "Enlightened ruler...Son of despotic Reza Shah...has followed a course almost directly opposite to that of his father...given away most of his personal fortune & has instituted economic & social reforms...Admires the US & is attached to the West" https://t.co/DPqxEAZC8W
All the headlines about MbS are like how Iranian mothers talk about their loser or abusive sons that they can’t bring themselves to stop adoring. https://t.co/h3BHjzU97V
I agree with @ezraklein but think people shouldn’t be encouraged to imagine that removing an unfit president is a silver bullet that can undo the lasting harm he does before being removed. I’m surprised how many people harbor that illusion. https://t.co/caXPURATRg