I am not an Assad supporter. I wish that Syria had a more representative setup for sure that does not invoke the Assad’s.
Syria's governing system had big problems. It wasn't as tyrannical as other countries,but it wasn't a democracy either. It had a lot of mistakes. First of all,the continuation of the term "Arab Syrian Republic". In a country with Kurds,Turkmens, Armenians,Assyrians and maybe a few others,that term should have been abolished.
Then they should have given more autonomy to the Kurds. I'm not talking about autonomy like in Iraq,I mean recognize their language,give them some more rights.
And after 2017 he should have negotiated with them a kind of federation.
Now about Assad? I like the man. I want to think he's a good person. He didn't want to be president. He was forced to become president. I think it's some power circles in Damascus and the family that prevented him in doing a lot of things that he wanted. I remember that many years ago he wanted to do some reforms,but somehow everything stopped. Assad though is the best guarantee for the Christians,Shia and Alawis in that country.
I knew Syrians in real life some 20 years ago. From Halab too. Syria was a beautiful country,full of culture and fun too. Sunnis enjoyed freedom,Christians did too,everyone did. There was life there. Restaurants,cafes,art,museums.
The only thing you shouldn't do is challenge the regime.
That brings us to the other problem. The whole Assad photos and statues everywhere. I don't call it a cult of personality,because it's not as harsh or ridiculous as in other countries,but it should have been stopped after the war calmed down a bit and there could have been more focus on the motherland,than the leader. The government had bad PR and strategies.