RT by @mikenov: RT by @mikenov: The Observer: Putin wanted to replace Bashar al-Assad with his wife The Kremlin was so disappointed with Bashar al-Assad that it considered replacing him with his wife, Asma al-Assad. However, the Syrian dictator reportedly mocked the idea. According to The Observer, Asma al-Assad headed the “Economic Council” and controlled a significant share of the country’s economy. Business owners who refused to hand over assets to people linked to the regime were allegedly persecuted, had their bank accounts frozen, and saw their companies shut down. Putin viewed Assad as a weak leader who constantly relied on Moscow’s support and ultimately failed to stabilize the situa