August 29th, 2013
05:06 AM ET

Why some countries stick with Syria

Even as much of the outside world sees Bashar al-Assad as a ruthless tyrant, the Syrian president still has some powerful friends.

So why do Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and China support a regime accused of slaughtering tens of thousands of civilians? Here's where each stand on their controversial ally.

FULL STORY

Filed under: U.S. • World
soundoff (43 Responses)
  1. Jeff Frank

    Certainly with all the money this country "flips to the wind" as it does, why isn't Obama paying simply paying Russia $3 billion to keep its junk out of Syria? Then, when the shipments don't show up, game over.

    August 29, 2013 at 5:09 pm | Report abuse |
  2. saywhat

    British Parliament has voted against condemning Syria and military intervention.
    Us official: 'we may have to act unilaterally against Syria".
    Why? For goodness sake.
    Are Israeli & Saudi interests that important to us?

    August 29, 2013 at 7:56 pm | Report abuse |
    • Klovis

      I wonder what happened to poster Hope's contention that the UK was ready to go in and was just waiting for the US? Sounds just like a lot of smoke and mirrors to me. Keep the US OUT OF IT!

      August 29, 2013 at 8:12 pm | Report abuse |
    • Juan Jiminez

      Very good post ladies and gentlemen. I didn't learn of the Brits decision til I just read this. Obama has absolutely no backing now. Take a hint sir and stay as far away from this as possible. Not our problem. However he is stuck because of his premature comments regarding chem weapons and usage there. Not so fun and glamorous is it now king Obama?

      August 29, 2013 at 10:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • mullahproblems

      No, but I think it's in the interests of all the people of the region to stop support for Assad, before he kills more.

      August 30, 2013 at 12:27 pm | Report abuse |
    • Josh

      Please allow me to translate what saywhat is saying... saywhat is saying "Dirka, Dirka, Allah, Jihad".

      August 30, 2013 at 12:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • Josh

      What I'm really saying is "I don't know anything about the Middle East so I'll trash someone who does."

      August 31, 2013 at 11:54 am | Report abuse |
  3. BOMBO

    The biggest boosters for Western intervention in Syria (quietly behind the scenes of course) is the rest of the Arab League. They do not want Shiite domination and Iranian influence in any member state. And no, Israel is not the puppet master. Hatred of Israel is the only thing they can all agree on. In fact Israel would prefer Assad to the great unknown.

    August 29, 2013 at 8:02 pm | Report abuse |
  4. banasy©

    No US boots in Syria, no matter what McCain and Graham want.

    August 29, 2013 at 8:28 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Hope

    Oh, yeah, Klovis...

    It depends on who you ask in the U.K.

    God Bless the Children,
    Hope

    August 29, 2013 at 9:41 pm | Report abuse |
    • Klovis

      Hope, civilians who have no authority don't count. Only 9% of the US favor going to war with Syria. Get a clue.

      August 30, 2013 at 11:39 am | Report abuse |
    • mullahproblems

      Someone should save them from the mullahs in Tehran, it's their proxy war that's killing so many.

      August 30, 2013 at 12:28 pm | Report abuse |
  6. BOMBO

    We should stay out. But it's really hard. If you go in, you end up with another Libya, or maybe Iraq. If you don't go in, you end up with another Rwanda or Sudan.

    August 29, 2013 at 10:16 pm | Report abuse |
    • mullahproblems

      This war is dragging only because other dictators Iran mainly keep propping this guy up.

      August 30, 2013 at 12:29 pm | Report abuse |
  7. BOMBO

    Let the Arab League handle it. They've got planes. But of course they won't. They'll privately beg the US and NATO behind the scenes, then publicly condemn us if we do go.

    August 29, 2013 at 10:19 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Hope

    My blog up and disappeared.

    I dare Assad to flush that toilet!

    😀

    The rest of my comment was spot on!

    August 29, 2013 at 10:44 pm | Report abuse |
  9. TvNyC

    We will do a favor to everybody by sending some air strikes and take care of the rebels te rest. What Assad has been doing is pure evil. We need to take him down and let God deal with him or at least let him surrender. We need this because it will get our oil prices much lower. Look for an air strike tomorrow. Look for lower oil prices starting September 2013.

    August 29, 2013 at 10:56 pm | Report abuse |
  10. personal training Long Island

    Why, cause the world is changing, and they are trying to hold on to power for as long as they can.

    January 30, 2014 at 3:14 pm | Report abuse |
1 2
« Back to main