is this a reason the united states is slow to get involved? >> i think there are many different calculations before the united states would get involved in something like this, but syria would be the key country. it is very closely aligned with iran. it's also got its hands all over lebanon. it's penetrated by hezbollah. it has, according to the reports, had help from iran and hezbollah in cracking down on dissent inside the country. it would be a tough military nut to crack, and you wouldn't apply the same formula perhaps that we've applied in libya. but many of the same principles are at play. there are well-educated people in syria, clearly they're motivated to seek a change in the government. whether they represent the majority of the people or not is unclear. you know, the syrian government is headed by assad. he's a member of a sect that's a minority inside syria.