Asher ##an : It 's time to call turmoil in Syria a civil war , with extreme violence on each side . But Syria 's forces are far better equipped and organized than the opposition , he says . Kaufman : Once this happens , Iran may also be willing to give up on its ally . Bashar al - Assad gets heavy - duty support , especially from Russia and China . Russia and China must be aware it 's not in their interest to back al - Assad , he says .
Asher ##an : It 's time to call turmoil in Syria a civil war , with extreme violence on each side . But Syria 's forces are far better equipped and organized than the opposition , he says . Kaufman : Bashar al - Assad gets heavy - duty support , especially from Russia and China . Russia and China must be aware it 's not in their interest to back al - Assad , he says .