Syrian President Bashar al-Assad affirmed that while Syria is in the midst of the war, it is doing its best in military, economic, organizational, and ideological development.

During his visit to the Higher Military Academy in Damascus and meeting with the graduate officers of the 36th course of “Command and General Staff,” al-Assad said that the US spent a trillion dollars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Vietnam for US arms companies.

He explained that after the US' defeat in these countries "we have to expect that there will be more wars and more defeats."

Al-Assad stressed that "in this confusing world" resilience is key for small states searching for a regional position within their interests, or for big countries which seek an international position.

The Syrian president emphasized that it is not possible to remain resilient in a negative meaning, "but we have to move to the attack."

Addressing the new graduates, President al-Assad pointed out that "it is not possible to separate the personality of a commander from his knowledge," adding that it is a commander's duty to develop his knowledge in all aspects rather than military sciences only.