Syrian president opts for sticks with few carrots

President Bashar all-Assad has lifted the 48-year old state of emergency in Syria. (File photo)

By JAMES M. DORSEY
SPECIAL TO AL ARABIYA

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s strategy to quell anti-government protests against his regime appears to consist mostly of sticks with few carrots.

Mr. Al-Assad has lifted the 48-year old state of emergency in Syria. He…