Saiid is aware of the difficulties that could hamper political efforts given the conflicting interests of key regional players: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran. However, he says, the US and the UK will not want the regional situation to get out of hand. “If Syria is attacked, Russia and Iran would be more upfront in their support of Assad. This means more weaponry and more havoc at a time when many countries in the region are faced with internal challenges.” He adds that it is too much to argue that more turmoil is in the interests of Israel.