Iraq Adopts Iran's Backing of Assad

Iraq Adopts Iran's Backing of Assad

August 24, 2011 | 9:37am

Juan Cole

• What impact will the call by the United States and major European powers for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down--followed by heightened U.S. and EU sanctions--have on Syria-Iran relations?

They will push Syria even more into the arms of Iran. Syria is being gradually cut off from Western finances and relationships. So if the regime is going to survive, it will want to look east to Iran and perhaps China. Syria seems to also be improving its relationship with Iraq.

• Why has Iraq opted to align with Syria and Iran in backing Assad?