Syria and Iran: Alliance Politics in a Changing Regional Environment

Description

The alliance between Syria and Iran has been a persistent feature on the political landscape of the Middle East for more than three decades. Moreover, since its inception, it has had a major impact on developments in the region, as witnessed in recent years with the 2003 Iraq war, the 2006 Lebanon conflict and the controversies surrounding the Iranian and Syrian nuclear programs.
Throughout the years, the two partners have had some noticeable successes in frustrating the designs and policies of Iraq, Israel and the United States in the Middle East. This article provides an overview and analysis on the development of the Tehran-Damascus nexus, its purposes and longevity, and its regional implications.