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US escalation in Syria strengthens Iran-Russia partnership

The race to recapture eastern Syria may soon lead to direct confrontation between the US-led coalition and Syria’s Russian and Iranian allies.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MARCH 28:  (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) greets Iran's President Hassan Rouhani (L) during their meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace on March 28, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. President of Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani is having a state visit to Russia. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

TEHRAN, Iran — Six years after the outbreak of civil war in Syria, the eastern part of the country has become a critical hotspot that could determine the balance of power between the various domestic and international forces involved.

While the United States is becoming increasingly assertive in keeping the Syrian army and its allied forces away from the Iraqi border, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s main allies, namely Iran and Russia, have started to redefine their strategies to preserve their vital interests in the war-torn country.

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