UPRISING IN SYRIA

One factor that has not been given a lot of evaluation is the role Al-Qaeda in playing in the efforts to topple Assad's regime in Syria. And why are Saudis and other Sunnis supporting the overthrow of the Assad regime? Assad is supported by Shiite Iran--underneath the surface there is a sectarian Islamic religious battle going on. If Syria becomes a Shiite ally of Iran, it changes the power balance in the Middle East and threatens the Sunni states. So it is in the interest of the Arab League to overthrow the Assad regime in spite of the risks involved. Iranian naval ships have sailed through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean and are rumored to be headed to Syrian ports. This is probably more a show of support for Assad than anything else.