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Originally Posted by Itse
This might be true, but since they're definition of "as little as possible" still includes options like airstrikes and monetary support, it doesn't really matter that much to the Syrians.
They're in this.
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The airstrikes have nothing to do with supporting either side. It's in Israel's best interest to have a stable Syria run by Assad, when the other option is a chaotic Syria or a Syria run by Sunni fundamentalists. The airstrikes happened, because Israel saw an easy opportunity to weaken Hezbollah.
There's all sorts of reports coming from the Syrian govenrment about Israel using these strikes to "rally" the rebels. However, I hardly see how a group made up of the "arab people" and Sunni fundamentalists is going to want Israel's support. The optics of that alone are going to be enough to kill any support for them from the Arab world, which is where the real change will come from. Basically, I don't think anyone is buying that story but Assad and the anti-Israelis who'll buy anything.
As far as monetary support for rebels, there is no long term commitment there. The USA can walk away at any time. Thus far, they've given amounts in the 10s of millions, which have largely been used for "non-lethal" supplies. When you consider that Russia has given the Assad regime billions of dollars, it's a pretty small amount. If anything, it's just to appease their own conscience. If the rebels start getting too nasty, the pressure on the US to keep providing support will dry up quickly.