Along with Assad, Iran is the biggest loser as the rebels gain ground
Tehran has invested billions in Syria since the beginning of the civil war there, seeing the country as central to its efforts to encircle Israel with a “ring of fire” of proxies willing to do its bidding
Iran’s interest is clear: to preserve Syria as a conduit of arms to Hezbollah and as a platform from which it can produce arms for the Lebanese terrorist group and rebuild its prime proxy
If Assad falls, that conduit is lost
Like Hezbollah, Iran’s resources are not limitless and – because of the drubbing Hezbollah took in Lebanon – the resources Iran can now allocate to save Assad are not the same as they were in the past
Iran has militias comprised of Iraqis, Pakistanis and Afghanis, it may deploy but these militias do not match Hezbollah in their battle readiness and training
Hezbollah, decimated by Israel, is in no position to send forces now, to prop up Assad
Syria is key to Iran’s regional influence and if Assad falls, it loses that asset
