We previously stated that the tyrant of Damascus's interview with Iranian state TV means that al-Assad is now aware that only Iran is backing him. However since that day, he has not refrained from talking to the media, from his interview – in three parts – with the Turkish "Cumhuriyet" newspaper to his most recent interview with a German television station.

Al-Assad's most recent interview with the German television station reveals that the tyrant of Damascus has begun to feel that he is facing a genuine predicament, otherwise why would he carry out three media interviews in a single week? What is interesting about al-Assad's latest interview with the German television station is that he failed to learn anything from his famous interview with the Wall Street Journal in early 2011. During that interview al-Assad gloated over the position that former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was in; stressing that Mubarak was facing the inevitable end because of his foreign policies. However what was ironic is that the Syrian revolution broke out following this famous interview, in which al-Assad gloated over Mubarak's position. Whilst today, approximately one year after this interview, al-Assad has returned to gloat over the fate of the former Egyptian president, saying that his trial was unfortunate but that he – al-Assad – is not like Mubarak. Al-Assad said "to be scared, you have to compare. Do we have anything in common?" adding "it's a completely different situation…you cannot compare. You cannot feel scared – maybe you feel sorry or pity [for Mubarak]."

This exposes al-Assad's true view, not to mention his gloating over the fate of the former Egyptian president. For what al-Assad means when he asks "do we have anything in common?" is that his position towards the "resistance" is different to the position taken by Mubarak, and this will therefore protect him; however such talk does not satisfy anybody today except Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah. This fails to satisfy the Syrian people; 17,000 of whom have been killed until today, including men, women and children. The Syrian people are well aware that the tyrant of Damascus was right when he said that he is not like Mubarak, for the former Egyptian president did not kill his own people, as al-Assad has done. Mubarak did not attempt to make himself stronger by relying on Iran or Hezbollah, simply to remain in power. He did not carry on, past the point of stubbornness or detachment from reality, in order to cling to power, rather Mubarak responded to the will of the people and stepped down, without burning Egypt's cities to the ground or inciting a sectarian war!

Therefore, al-Assad would be lucky to share Mohamed Hosni Mubarak's fate, indeed this would be something of a miracle! As for the possibility of al-Assad leaving the country for Moscow, this was an idea that was considered a joke; indeed Russia has announced that it is suspending new arms sales to the al-Assad regime! Even if al-Assad were to end up in his natural place, namely Iran, then the worst punishment that he could face is to live to see and hear how much the Syrian people hate him, not to mention the rest of the Arab world, and how much better Syria will be without him! Of course, one cannot discern the unknown, but there can be no doubt that the tyrant of Damascus would be very lucky to share Mubarak's fate!

Tariq Alhomayed is the Editor-in-Chief of Asharq Al-Awsat, the youngest person to be appointed that position. He holds a BA degree in Media studies from King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, and has also completed his Introductory courses towards a Master's degree from George Washington University in Washington D.C. He is based in London.