General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: No. I've seen the recent videos. Sarin gas attacks on civilians. It needs a response. [View all]markpkessinger
(8,396 posts)Bashar Al Assad's political party is a secular offshoot of Shia Islam. Shiites represent only 13% of Syria's population. 74% of Syria's population are Sunnis. That is why you have the various Arab (Sunni) states (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Emirates, Kuwait) encouraging the U.S. to take action (and even offering to foot the bill, according to Secy. Kerry). Al Qaeda, too, is a Sunni organization, and is aligned with the rebels. Likewise, this is why Iran (a Shia state) is supporting Assad (because he is Shia). This entire affair isn't even really about Syria: it's a proxy for the long-standing Sunni versus Shia (read Arab versus Persian) rivalry for geopolitical dominance in the regionj. The Sunni Arab nations are eager to draw the United States in a conflict that is really, in its broadest outlines a sectarian conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran over which sect will be the dominant geopolitical powerbroker in the region.