Entering Syrian war, Russia and Iran see Mideast resurgence

Two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 bombers at the Russian Hmeimim military base in Latakia province, in the northwest of Syria, December 16, 2015. (Photo by AFP Photo/Paul Gypteau)

Moscow and Tehran are regaining influence with their interventionist streaks, but risk getting stuck in Assad’s quicksand

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — After years of waning influence, Russia and Iran made a dramatic comeback in the Middle East in 2015 as they threw their support behind Syria’s embattled President Bashar Assad.

A decades-long backer of the Syrian regime, Moscow dramatically raised the stakes this year by deploying its air force to bomb rebels fighting Assad’s army.

Source: The Times of Israel