The united states hesitated supporting the revolutions because it feared they would fall under extremist influences.

The united states hesitated in supporting Syria during the Arab Spring because it did not want another Iraq on its hands. They did not want to be left with the burden of cleaning up another mess but allow revolution, if it was that, to run its course. Also the fear of causing more unrest in the middle east would make them more of a target with extremists.

An attractive economy.