in the media

Syria is a Zero-Sum Game for Iran

The perpetuation of the Assad regime is critical to Iran's efforts to maintain its regional influence, and Tehran has demonstrated it will do whatever it can to aid Assad and his regime.

by Karim Sadjadpour

published by

C-SPAN's Washington Journal

on August 19, 2012

Source: C-SPAN's Washington Journal

Speaking on CSPAN’s Washington Journal, Carnegie's Karim Sadjadpour explained that the alliance between Iran and Syria has been critical to the Assad regime’s efforts to maintain power during the on-going uprising in Syria. Although the alliance is not based on cultural, sectarian, or ethnic affinities, Iran and Syria have been stalwart strategic allies dating back to 1980. For Iran, “Syria has been its most consistent global ally and provides an important strategic geographic link to Hezbollah," noted Sadjadpour. The Iranian regime also “has repression down to a science and is sharing their tactics in this regard with the Assad regime,” he added. For Iran, the perpetuation of the Assad regime is critical in maintaining its regional influence, and Iran has demonstrated it will do whatever it can to aid Assad and his repressive regime, Sadjadpour concluded.

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.