In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD near its border.
— Isaiah 19:19
In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”
— Isaiah 19:23-25
Assad would not have needed as strong a Iranian or Russia presence if the “regime change” agenda against him (which actually began covertly as far back as GWBush), had never thought it had an opportunity to finally suceed in 2011-12. What the stupid westerns got was a dysfunctional Syria NEEDING external support, which Russia and Iran were more than eager to provide. The west went from a security situation with regard to Syria that was contained and stable, and got a secuirty situation with a greatly enlarged eastern mediterranean presence of both Russia and Iran. In some ways it was as bad as arming the mujahadin to help kick the Soviets out of Afghanistan. Had the west left Assad alone, and contained (which he was) the enlarged presence of Russia and Iran in Syria would not have happened. As much as Assad wanted their help, it is always uncomfortable when you are something of a dependent of your guests. Your situation is no longer your own.
Remember when Obama and the CIA tried to have Assad killed, created ISIS, turned Syria on its head, resulting in the largest migrant flow in Europe since WWII, all while Hillary Clinton was smuggling arms from the newly-destroyed state of Libya to Al Qaeda in Syria, via the US consulate in Benghazi?
I do.
So with psychopaths like that in charge of the USA - raise your hand if you are surprised that Assad looked for help from the Iranians and Russians?