Syria losing Arab states over ties to Iran - Assad on defensive. Update Sept 8th

The Arab league has protested Syrian internal violence and ambassadors have been pulled out. Iraq has a long border with Syria and Iraqi popular opinion is with the Syrian protestors.  Iran, the former Persian empire, is deeply mistrusted by Arab states and is helping the Assads suppress opposition.  If Syria decided to cut ties with Iran, the Arab despotic states would switch back to helping Assad stay in power.  The possibilities of a new Persian empire are an engine behind the news stories out of the Middle East.  In that calculus, Israel looks like an Arab ally, not an enemy.  Strategy Page: Creating A Desert And Calling It Peace

Update: Sept. 8th.  Assad made a secret trip to Iran and received assurances that Hezbollah and the Revolutionary Guards Quds force would help him in Syria.  Calls for Assad's ouster now come openly at home.