why exactly are we against Assad?
We were not - the administration was in their rush to support the Arab Spring. Interestingly - little known fact for people to digest.... Assad was against the pipeline (as was Russia and Iran) from the Gulf States through Syria into Turkey and into Europe. The Saudi’s and other Gulf States want this pipeline so they can easily sell more to Europe. It would be fair to say the pipeline could be worth trillions. Assad was stopping it because he refused to allow it to cross Syria. Russia would do almost anything to stop it because it would end their semi-exclusive market into Europe.
Supporting the overthrow of Assad made no sense to me until you look at the donations to the Clinton foundation from the Gulf States. They donated huge sums of money at the same time our State Department seemingly reversed course to support the ouster of Assad. The rest is history.
Follow the money?
Follow the money?
And follow the thugish behavior of Putinist Russia. Many European countries also wanted the pipeline due to the endless threats and bullying from one party state fascist Russia.