Report: Russia And Iran Coordinating Their Syrian Military Plans And Strategies

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) shows the way to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif as they enter a hall during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, August 17, 2015. REUTERS/MAXIM ZMEYEV

WSJ: Russia, Iran Seen Coordinating on Defense of Assad Regime in Syria

U.S., regional officials say military buildup in coastal base aimed at safeguarding regime’s stronghold.

Russia and Iran have stepped up coordination inside Syria as they move to safeguard President Bashar al-Assad’s control over his coastal stronghold, according to officials in the U.S. and Middle East, creating a new complication for Washington’s diplomatic goals.

Senior Russian and Iranian diplomats, generals and strategists have held a string of high-level talks in Moscow in recent months to discuss Mr. Assad’s defense and the Kremlin’s military buildup in Syria, according to these officials.

This included a secret visit in late July by the commander of Iran’s elite overseas military unit, the Qods Force. Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani directs Tehran’s military and intelligence support for the Assad regime and is one of the most powerful leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC.

WNU Editor: A lot of geopolitics is now on display in the Middle East .... and Russia is positioning itself to be in the middle. But there are risks .... Are Iran and Russia Risking Their Own Vietnam in Syria? (Juan Cole, The Nation).

Update: A warning shot from the rebels to Russia? .... Russia urges 'action' after shell hits Damascus embassy compound (AFP).