[immoceefe]

The Patriarchate of Antioch has historically backed the secular dictatorship of the Baathists, seeing it in their own best interest. I'm not saying that the Christians in Syria will get what they deserve if persecuted or tossed out. I'm simply saying that it's a complicated historical situation. The real issue is whether or not Orthodox around the world will come to their aid. I confess to being a bit cynical about the chances of that. What would likely happen is that those who have the money to do so will move to Britain or the U.S. or Canada. The people without funds will be left to fend for themselves.

Meanwhile, CNN seems to be heavily lobbying for U.S. intervention.

What we've seen over the past century in Muslim countries is first there is a radical leftist secular revolution against a more or less moderate Islamic monarchy or sheikdom, often funded and supported by the Soviets, which in time lacks popular support -- in part due to impovershment, while the new surge in Islamic radicalism begins to transform popular attitudes until the time is ripe for a takeover. Who knows what will follow?