Despite fears the bloodshed in Syria will mushroom into regional warfare, Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper expects the fighting to remain mostly inside Syrian borders. Cooper is a Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. He says U.S. intervention in Syria is complicated by the country’s complex circle of friends.

Cooper points to countries like China and Russia for holding up international efforts to halt Syria’s spiraling violence. In particular he notes China has a kind of business interest in the Syrian regime’s close ally, Iran.

“I think it’s really an Iranian play. China has long term oil contracts with Iran, the patron of Syria, so I think it’s really a resource play.”

Cooper says while many have feared an Iranian escalation in Syria, he now doubts it will come to pass.

“I think even the Iranians have gotten the message that Assad is going down, and they do not need to be part of his regime anymore.”

As to the U.S. role in Syria, Cooper says there should be a “humanitarian focus.” When pressed about it, Cooper said quote “we’re doing all that we can, both overtly and quietly behind the scenes.”

Part of the trouble, Cooper says, is it’s unclear to whom exactly the U.S. could lend support.

“We need to know more about the Syrian opposition; right now it’s terribly fragmented. You can’t really get involved if you don’t know who you’re giving arms to.”