Israel Launches Air Strikes On Syria ..., page-33

Pro-Putin posters should be aware that Russia is treading a delicate line between Iran and Israel.

There is significant tension between Russia and Iran regarding Syria. Similar tensions exist between Israel and Russia although Putin and Netanyahu maintain a friendly and cordial relationship.

The problem for Putin is that Iran has failed to remove it's forces from South-West Syria as agreed previously by all parties. Assad's forces are heavily diminished and rely on Iran to control territory. Assad seeks to reassert Syrian control over Syria, as does Putin (with the proviso of maintaining a few bases + the prospect of some O&G investment). Iran by contrast seeks to use Assad's regime as something of a puppet and as a conduit to place their forces across the border from Israel. Assad needs Iran for the moment (an I guess would welcome their ongoing investment) but would presumably want Iranian forces to leave Syria at the cessation of hostilities.

This emerging scenario maybe why both Russia and the US provide support to the (Kurdish supported) Northern Federation in Syria and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. Peshmerga or SDF (or indeed Assad) controlled border between the Iraq and Syria may not be so porous to Iranian interests.

Iran has an opportunity to wield region wide influence and to become a regional powerhouse however Khamenei's crazies would see this all blown away by provoking a war with Israel. Netanyahu is similarly a myopic idiot BUT allowing Khamenei a second axis to Israel's border is NOT in the interests of any Syrians, the US or Russia.

Khamenei is old and sick. A containment strategy supported by Russia may have to be implemented pending a change in leadership within Iran.

cheers