So far as Syria is concerned, the Assad regime’s fate was sealed earlier this week when a succession of key regional allies finally reached the end of their tether and washed their hands of the dictator. Damascus will no doubt claim that it will not be affected by the decision of Kuwait and Bahrain to withdraw their ambassadors in protest at the government’s heavy-handed tactics. The Bahrainis, in particular, are in no position to criticise the intolerance of other Arab states after the way they suppressed their own uprising in the spring.