Question: what does Syria have that Russia and China want?

[hedgehog]

Or, in other words, why are Russia and China backing the dictator?

[dipsydoodle]

1. Probably just geographical

in relation to other influences in the region.

[KharmaTrain]

2. Remnant Of Cold War Geo-Politics...

After the Egyptians kicked the Soviets out in 1970 Syria was the USSR's only client state in that region. The relationships between the Assads and Russian/Soviet leadership go back several decades. Russia is also very leery of Turkey's influence in the region that has been felt across the former Soviet republics.

China is more economic as they see Syria as a market for its growing weapons programs. The country has little to no oil so this is more about making a buck...

[jp11]

3. Money, investments.

Russia sells arms to Syria and has investments there.

http://www.stroytransgaz.com/press-center/smi/the-moscow-times/02_09_2011

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/09/29/Russia_defends_arms_sales_to_Syria/UPI-28611222726785/

China has investments in oil it seems probably other things as well.

http://the-diplomat.com/china-power/2012/06/02/can-china-help-save-syria/

http://www.cnpc.com.cn/en/cnpcworldwide/syria/

[FarCenter]

4. They aren't interested in seeing the middle east taken over by extremist muslims

A takeover of Syria by Salafist and Wahhabi extremists would result in a major bloodbath of Alawite and Christian Syrians.

The Europeans have to play ball with the Saudis and their GCC allies or their oil gets cut off. The Turks are Sunni muslims. So that explains the major players. The US is somewhat more reserved, but ultimately also goes along with the Saudis.

[riderinthestorm]

5. The Russians sole military base in the region is in Syria

the US is in Israel (unofficially of course doncha know but still definitely "there&quot . There's a long term "friendship" between the Russians and Syria which is a cold war remnant vis a vis the US.

China is allied with Iran's oil as far as I can tell. And Shia Iran is backing Shia Assad all the way. I'd also theorize that China is flexing some new muscles on the geo-political front. There is a legitimate threat of religious sectarian genocide if Shia Assad is killed or forcibly removed from power which would engulf the region. China needs that region's oil to fuel its growth for the next generation so they have a large vested interest in keeping the region from careening into massive instability.

There's more to this than I have time for at the moment, I'll try to write more later when I'm free if someone else hasn't filled in more details.

[TBF]

6. Same reason our country is there -

Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower

Source: CIA World Factbook - Unless otherwise noted, information in this page is accurate as of January 9, 2012

http://www.indexmundi.com/syria/natural_resources.html

[HooptieWagon]

7. Is Syria a potential location for oil or gas pipeline?

[CK_John]

8. Seaport access from the Med and land access to Saudi oil fields. nt

[morningfog]

9. Location, location, location.

[hedgehog]

10. Thanks for the info, all!