Russia may face a contest with Iran who has roughly the same plans according to some of the journalists this observer met with following the largest press conference I have ever attended in Syria. The packed media event was to hear an analysis by the Chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi who was accompanied by a large delegation of Iranian lawmakers. Mr. Boroujerdin explained that Iran would consider sending fighters to Syria if Damascus requests them: "If Syria makes a request for Iranian forces, we will study the request and make a decision. What's important is that Iran is serious about the fight against terrorism," he added. "We have supplied aid and weapons and sent advisers to Syria and Iraq."
Some media outlets are reporting that over the past two weeks more the 1,500 Iranian troops have arrived with more on the way. When this observer asked one Syrian journalist how he assessed the timing of the visit of such a large high ranking Iranian delegation he smiled and replied: "Oh they have come to tell the Syrians and others during the Putin lovefest "Hey, what about us? Don't forget we have been helping Syria's war against the terrorists since 2012?"
Almost as if their feelings are hurt, Iran will partner closely with Russia and each country focus on expelling "Terrorists" from certain areas of Northwestern Syria while entrenching themselves and fortifying preferred strategic real-estate. Russia closer to Tartous and Latakia and Iran and its allies along the Lebanon-Syria border in order to maintain access and arms supply routes for Hezbollah. Meanwhile they will join with militia allies to repel jihadist fighters from Hama, Homs, Aleppo, Idlib, and Damascus suburbs.
Yet, Russia's dramatic and escalating intervention here will likely complicate matters for Iran. Just like some condemn Washington for not acting sooner some here suggest that if Tehran had gone all-in with large ground forces earlier in the war rather than relying on Lebanese, Iraqi, Yemeni and Afghan Shia militia then Syria and the Assad government would not have needed Moscow's involvement. As it has turned out, Iran has pleaded with Russian since last July's visit to Moscow by Qasem Soleimani since 1998 commander of its Iran's Quds Force, to join them in defeating the "terrorists and takfiris." Now, Iran is no longer Syria's sole patron and Putin's Russia will have a major- if not dominant- decision making role in how the conflict develops. Some Syrians, including a large percentage of Sunni, no doubt resent Shia Iran's role and would welcome the return of Russian influence at Tehran's expense.
Until now Tehran and Moscow appear to be sharing the same short-term goals.
There are rumors among journalists here that Russian President, aka "Abu Ali Putin" will soon pay a visit to Damascus to discuss a "political solution" and assure the region that his country is back and can be trusted to keep its word. This as Washington and NATO are fascinated by the modernized Russian missiles and artillery they are closely scrutinizing while publicly posturing that "Putin has made a big mistake and will soon learn the price he will be forced to pay." And just yesterday (10/16/2015) French President Francois Hollande assured the EU summit that Russian intervention won't save Syria's Assad.Meanwhile the Syrian people who are the ones who in the past, present and future are the ones who most pay the price hope the carnage will end soon and that maybe Russia can achieve a settlement that the USA and its allies could not.
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