Syria (and the Iran Connection)

Here is some information I think people should be aware of in regards to the current battles unfolding between Israel and Hezbollah. I am focusing in on Syria because most of Hezbollah's support is coming from there.

Syria is roughly the size of North Dakota with a population of about 19 million (which is just smaller than the state of New York). Islam is the majority religion of Syria with 80% of the country being Muslim and with 74% belonging to the Sunni branch of Islam.

Syria and Iran have a history as allies - a history that seems mostly based upon the theory that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. For instance - during the Iraq / Iran war Syria actually sided with Iran even though Saddam Hussein was also a member of the Baathist Party and a Sunni Muslim. Iraq was worried about Iran exporting Shiite religious revolution (Iraq is mostly Shia Muslims) while Syria was probably more concerned with Saddam Hussein and his tendency to invade neighbors.

When Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 - Iran was the only country to send troops to support Syria. (One has to wonder if Israel had not just taken over Lebanon but also invaded Syria how things may have been different these past 24 years.)

It should also be noted that Syria was the second country (after the USSR who wanted their oil) to officially recognize the Iranian revolutionary regime after they toppled the Shah.

The relationship between Syria and Iran has been political but one has to wonder if the "axis" has popular support within the countries. Syria is mostly Sunni while Iran is mostly Shia. That can't be overlooked.

The average Syrian has an equivalent yearly salary of $3,900 while his neighbor to the south in Iraq makes about $3,600 yearly. If the Iraqi starts making more because of the new democracy - I think that would go a long way towards undermining the current Baathist dictator. Just something to keep in mind.