Very interesting. A lot of tension over there between the US, Israel, Syria, Russia and Iran; plus the Kurdish Independence Forces, and the Turks massed on the border.
Syria’s Bashar Assad has a mutual defense pact with Iran but he also invited 50,000 Russian personnel to help defeat the opposition forces. I had a suspicion that Russia wants a ‘clean’ deal with Syria and Iran separately, but doesn’t want Iran inside Syria - it makes dealing with Syria more difficult.
I also wonder how much of this is the result of pressure from Israel and the US alliance, or whether Iran is double dealing and threatening Russian forces in some ways. Certainly because Israel has been attacking Iranian positions in Syria, that is an indirect threat to Russia who already lost at least one plane in a case of mistaken identity.
I also figure if Russia allows the precedent of Iranian forces, then Turkey is going to be emboldened and the last thing Russia needs are all these countries pushing inward. It would be a good thing if Iran could be shut down - they are making a mess of the whole region; of course they are supporting Hezbullah in Lebanon but they are also the people who trained and deployed the IEDs in Iraq that have killed and maimed thousands of US servicepeople. Obama was such a schmuck for making a deal with them - and made it worse by giving them all the bribe cash and then making the deal a secret, making side deals that nullify aspects of the secret deal...
And over it all, the future of Syria and Assad to consider - what kind of price Assad pays to stay in power? Having his country a laundry-mat for Iranian smuggling; split in pieces by Kurdish independence, occupied by Turkey, defended (sort of) by Russia (who can’t attack Turkey without risking a NATO response), and Israeli and all the armed militias. At some point Assad has to make a choice. Iran? Russia? Deal with Israel?
It’s all quite interesting as it plays out. But I have no doubts Assad will hold his office, at least for a time, Edogan will continue to be a thorn in everyones side, and Iran is in such rough shape I doubt they can continue in Syria economically if for no other reason.
BTW Israel’s attacks were basically supported by Russia....they just turned their head. Russia indeed wants Iran out of Syria, but I have concerns how Iran would retaliate with all the pressures they’re facing........... A direct hit on Damascus would not surprise me.
Russia could have completely obliterated an isis convoy without taking down bridges....and all the Iranian troops and capital investment in Syria and Lebanon are at Putin’s mercy...Iran will do nothing like a good little mullah...