China and Russia were said to be protecting their own interests in the Middle East when they vetoed the Arab-backed UN Security Council resolution condemning the genocide committed by the regime of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria and asking him to step down so that the Syrian people can form a democratic government that will look after their own welfare. But it appears that, with their unreasonable decisions and illogical support for the Al-Assad's regime, they are jeopardizing their own interests in the region instead. As it stands now, most Arab countries in the Middle East were not in favor with their decision to veto the resolution seeking to stop the brutal killing of innocent Syrian people. However one looks at it, the position of China and Russia on the Syria crisis is not a productive gambit because it only exposed their preference for political and economic gains at the expense of people. If we were to compare their decision to a move in a chess game, protecting the Syrian regime is like sacrificing big pieces for a pawn. The Syrian people are determined to topple the regime and however one props it up the Al-Assad government will soon fall. History has taught that it is futile to go against the tide of popular uprising. Russia and China are aware of this and that is why they have taken diplomatic moves to protect their interest in the Middle East. Russia has sent its foreign affairs minister on the diplomatic tour of the region. Sadly, the mission flopped. China, which has financial interests in Arab countries, is expected to send envoys to these countries. Its success will depend on its position on the Syrian crisis. China and Russia must always consider aligning their position on the principles of justice, fairness, reason and compassion for people. Their position on the Syrian crisis is against these principles. It is not always true that political power grows out of the barrel of the gun. __
