Money may be a lever: the collapse in oil prices, plus rapidly dwindling Syrian production of the stuff, confronts Mr Assad with a fast-approaching budget crisis.
For example, the Soviet Union utilized a draconian embargo of oil and natural gas supplies earlier this year as the principal lever in its effort to bring the Lithuanian independence movement to heel.
Mr. Lozoya also envisions Pemex acting as a lever of development for the economy, spurring the development of a stronger oil service sector and promote new industries like ethanol.