Per Aspera ad Pax
... second decade of the 21st century began with a string of explosive protests in the Middle East and North Africa. The region has become a source of violence and terrorism... ... in precisely this region. The conflict in Syria unfolded in a historical period when Russia–U.S. relations were slowly, but surely, deteriorating from the erstwhile partnership... ... control. The Iranians regard Syrian territory as a key component of their national security strategy, which is focused on pushing back against Saudi Arabia and its claims...