I think nuconvert has it mostly right- while I am not sure I buy that Ney is 'pro-regime', I do think that the trip being planned probably works to stabilize the regime.
I am sure that some think that is a wise idea considering the attacks on our troops in Iraq- get the area calmer and hope for the best.
I think that thinking is naive, and akin to trying to win the left-leaning-independent vote by boosting funding to the NEA.