Rescuing the Assad Regime and Turning Syria into a Client State

Abstract

Facing an existential threat from the civil unrest of the Arab Spring, the Assad regime in Syria, a long-standing ally, turned to help Iran. Although the statist elite expressed misgivings about involvement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF), supported by Ayatollah Khamenei, quickly mobilized to fight an array of anti-Assad militias. Indeed, Suleimani, eager to turn Syria into a full-fledged client state and a virtual strategic extension of Iran created the Shiite Liberation Army, an array of Shiite volunteers. Unable to turn the tide, Suleimani solicited help from Russia which saved the regime. The IRGC-QF utilized the victory to complete two strategic projects, the Land Bridge capable of transferring weapons to Hezbollah and a series of missile sites to create a new front against Israel. Israel’s numerous bombing raids have raised questions about the plan’s viability. At the same time, the IRGC, which is embedded with the Syrian forces, is not likely to leave the country.