Russia is continuing to provide military aid for Syria despite U.S. objections. Washington, however, provides training and assistance to the Free Syrian Army under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Syria's relations with Russia, and previously with the Soviet Union, are nothing new, and stretch back more than five decades. Iran, a major player in the region, favors a political solution to the conflict in Syria and a common front against terrorism. Hazem Abdullah reports from Damascus. teleSUR