Did he respond by saying: Well. lets talk and maybe find a way to have an outlet for your interests or your concerns? No. Assad rolled the tanks. Assad said he would kill his opposition. And what ensued after that was the incubation of a group we know today as ISIS. the opening of a civil war in Syria that is now spreading all over the Middle East. a massive refugee crisis around the world. I hear some people in political conversations today express admiration for Vladimir Putin. They express admiration for Vladimir Putins strength. as if oppressing and killing people is something to be proud of.