The US Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel said that the US and Russia seek stability in Syria, warning of the repercussions of the crisis unfolding there. Hagel said in a joint press conference on Friday with Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey that ''the US continues to work with Russia, as the two sides are doing their best to convince the powers in the region to be cautious against any escalation in military options or militarization.'' He added that ''What we do not want to see happening is Syria's implosion to the point that we might be faced with a regional war in the Middle East.''