Machiavelli, famous for his amoral (and sometimes immoral) political Council, warned once her hypothetical Prince that one should never rely on foreign weapons to ensure a Principality. The reason was simple. If a foreign army to help a national force, the foreign army is probably much more powerful than an internal force. The army is already there, it makes sense to ensure the territory for itself and its own interests and not for the benefit of the domestic ally.
Machiavelli serve the main example of Rome when this happened. Empire of Rome was largely accidental; that firm a huge imperial territory, intervening in internal conflicts. They helped force another defeat and ended with the stationing of troops and equipment in the region to ensure peace.
The Syria opposition groups are doing this same error. Calling on the West to send "observers" keep the "equity" in the election and to seek foreign assistance to avoid future conflicts between them and the security of the Government forces, Syria called to Rome to secure the peace. Perhaps the Syrians are banking on the reluctance of the West to stay once peace is safe, but they are essentially violating rules of principle of Machiavelli. There is a high probability that Western forces will impose the liberalism in the country once the fighting has stopped.
Without a doubt, the opposition group, which is strongly opposed to the secular government currently in power, oppose such a situation. And the Government, which would be at the end of the intervention, the wrong would also be opposed. Potential winner is only the West, but as Talleyrand said of imperialism, the only thing you can do with bayonets is sitting on them.
There are only two cases at stake as we speak: Egypt and Tunisia. If any of these countries is permitted (and could really use them is allowed or not allowed) to become Islamic politician, Syria opposition is playing a smart game. You can attract Western aid to overthrow the most powerful Government, then assume once West hands the reins of power to them. Egypt and Tunisia should not be Islamic politically, the opposition group will later be in the end sharpening of the suit involved once I step out of line.
Unlike the Romans, refer to the modern imperial powers with more than tax revenues; they care for "hearts and minds" and as such does not it will rest until the infidels are defeated or convert.
Mark Tully is the main contributor to Restorus.org, a blog that covers News conservative. Restorus discusses politics, religion, culture and society.