Iran to Back Syria

[ethics]

We are ready to help Syria on all grounds to confront threats," Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref said after meeting Syrian PM Naji al-Otari.

But Washington said that if Iran and Syria had aimed their remarks at the US they were "misreading the issue".

Both countries should focus on meeting their international obligations, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

"Their problem is not with the United States, it's with the international community. Both Syria and Iran ... need to abide by the commitments they have made," he said.

I love the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4270859.stm">US response</a> to this because it's dead on.

Now, as for the quote from the Syrian Cabinet of, <i>"to point to Syria in a terrorist act that aims at destabilising both Syria and Lebanon is truly like blaming the US for 9/11"</i> that's one of those Arab analogies that make you scratch your head.

[Arc]

Iran to back Syria?

That is interesting. Especially considering what is going on in their common neighbor, Iraq.

Iraq is 65 percent Shia Muslim and about 35 percent Sunni.

Iran’s make up is: Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 9%,

Syria’s is: Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%,

One of the largest traits about the mixed bag of insurgents and terrorists in Iraq is that they are dominated by Sunnis and Syrian mercenaries.

The Shi’s have recently won a majority in Iraq.

Now call me crazy but I see clouds on the horizon when it comes to a cozy Iranian and Syrian relationship—regardless of their common interests in other areas.

[ethics]

You are correct. Aside from the logical explanation you gave above, there is a history of hatred between the two countries. Iranians are not exactly fond of Syria and vice versa.