Tightening squeeze on Syria

Russia reiterated its resolve Thursday to keep selling arms to Syria, defying a rising international chorus of condemnation. But the United States seems just as determined, and rightly so, to keep building the pressure on Russia to end its support of a repressive Syrian regime that should be bound for oblivion.

America's persisting appeal to the global community to force Syrian President Bashar Assad from power by economic and diplomatic means has been gaining ground. Russia and Iran (no surprise) appear to be the final holdouts still backing the tyrant who inherited his position -- and evidently his zeal for killing his own people -- from his father Hafez.

According to the United Nations, more than 5,400 people have died over the last 11 months in Syria's crackdown on a widespread revolt that clearly reflects public will. Diplomats from assorted nations are pushing a draft U.N. Security Council resolution supporting the Arab League's call for Assad to transfer his authority to a deputy. As of Thursday, the latest version, in an effort to bring Russia on board, removed calls for free elections -- for now.

Meanwhile, Syrian security personnel made another show of ominous force Thursday in Hama as protesters marked the 30th anniversary of the Hama massacre. Assad's father, also facing a civilian revolt, ordered that methodical slaughter of civilians, with fatalities estimated at up to 20,000.

Last month, the current President Assad cited that barbarity as an example of what today's rebels might suffer as he warned of "striking with an iron fist."

Yet U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has lately been striking successful diplomatic blows of her own against Assad. On Wednesday in Singapore, she posed this compelling long-distance challenge to fellow U.N. Security Council members, including Russia:

"Whose side are you on? Are you on the side of the Syrian people? Are you on the side of the Arab League? Are you on the side of the people of the Middle East and North Africa who have during this past year spoken out courageously and often for their rights?"

Her final, defining question: "Are you on the side of a brutal dictatorial regime?"

And as last year's "Arab Spring" moves toward its first anniversary, a dwindling number of nations are on Assad's side. He appears increasingly cornered -- and increasingly likely to join the roster of deposed (some of them deceased) Mideast tyrants.

Yes, Egypt's ongoing turmoil shows that the Arab Spring's liberating effects carry perils all their own.

But the Obama administration is still wise to galvanize international isolation of Syria's murderous leaders.