“Truth be told, the U.S. owes both Russia and Iran a debt of gratitude for the latter two’s military involvement in Syria and Iraq,” [George] Friedman insists. “Russia, for its own national interests to be sure, saved the Assad regime from possible collapse with its air attacks and help on the ground. Its help has stabilized the situation. As for Iran, without its militias and advisors helping to stem the Islamic State onslaught in al Anbar Province and Sunni areas further north, Iraq would be in much worse shape militarily today,” he says.
The Geopolitics of the American President