Syrian president Asad, who is the son of the last Syrian president, was once again elected president of that country in a referendum last month. He got more than 97 percent votes. (Pakistani leaders should hang their heads in shame.)
Hosni Mubarak has been ruling Egypt for more than two decades. He always won the referendums, and was declared winner in the first multiple candidate presidential elections held in 2005.
1- Are these leaders really so popular in their countries? Is it a matter of no better alternative?
2- What if these strongmen are removed from their positions? Will it lead to the Iraq style free-for-all democracy and the rise of ‘dissidents’ or ‘politicians with radical views’? Is western style democracy in the heart of Arab land a possibility at all?