So yes, regime change was planned against Syria (as well as Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Somalia, Sudan and Iran) 20 years ago.
And yes, attacking Syria weakens its close allies Iran and Russia and indirectly China.
But Syrias central role in the Arab gas pipeline is also a key to why it is now being targeted.
Just as the Taliban was scheduled for removal after they demanded too much in return for the Unocal pipeline, Syrias Assad is being targeted because he is not a reliable player.
Specifically, Turkey, Israel and their ally the U.S. want an assured flow of gas through Syria, and dont want a Syrian regime which is not unquestionably loyal to those 3 countries to stand in the way of the pipeline or which demands too big a cut of the profits.
Pepe Escobar sums up what is driving current global geopolitics and war:
What youre really talking about is whats happening on the immense energy battlefield that extends from Iran to the Pacific Ocean. Its there that the liquid war for the control of Eurasia takes place.
Yep, it all comes down to black gold and blue gold (natural gas), hydrocarbon wealth beyond compare, and so its time to trek back to that ever-flowing wonderland