Is Syria Cold War II's First Proxy War?

Another sign that we may have entered a new Cold War is the alignment of major powers behind rival forces in Syria.   The Russians and Chinese tentatively back Assad.   The Americans and their minions (that includes us) oppose Assad and demand his ouster.   And, according to Asia Times, our side is into this war deeper than we imagine.

"US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently said that the US has been working to unify the heterogeneous groups making up the opposition: "We're also working very hard to try to prop up and better organize the opposition. We've spent a lot of time on that."

"In the meantime, US officials have admitted that they have been providing covert military training and assistance for some time now. Large quantities of US automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition and some antitank weapons are being smuggled across the Turkish border by intermediaries including Syria's Muslim Brotherhood and paid for by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

"In this context it is likely that US satellite and drone surveillance has been providing intelligence on Syrian troop movements. The US has also provided between 10-20 classified technologies that may include a mobile phone "panic button" and an "Internet suitcase" to override government communications control. Training in the use of these technologies has also likely been provided.

"Almost from the beginning of the conflict, Saudi Arabia has, with the knowledge of the US government, been making full use of its wealth and local knowledge to pour material and military assistance into Syria. The Saudis are alarmed at the recent re-emergence, thanks to US ineptitude, of Shi'ite predominance in Iraq, which has created a regional "Shi'ite crescent" including Iran and Syria."

Not coincidentally a similar alignment is shaping up over Iran.   Just as George w. Bush belligerently drove NATO to expand to the borders of Russia, the Chinese and Russians now see Iran as a country on which they can expand their own sphere of influence and thereby also pry the fossil fuel and mineral riches of the Caucasus and South Asia out of America's grasp.   Wheels spinning within wheels, the perfect milieu for nurturing a new Cold War.