Iran has managed to gain influence over the Middle East through the help of its ally, the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who supported Iran during the 1980’s war with Iraq. His help is appreciated by Tehran but might not be necessary any longer. President Bashar al-Assad might have needed the Iranians during the Syrian conflict of the last few years, but now with the peace talks looming, it seems that the strategic aim of Hezbollah has been achieved, and there is no more requirements from al-Assad to further Iran’s influence in the Middle East. Hezbollah that was created in Iran during the eighties is now the boss in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran. If it wasn’t for the extravagant and outrageous behavior of terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS, then Hezbollah would be the one on the radar. It has emerged quietly and has countered the threats of U.S., Israel, ISIS and al-Qaeda and is now due to sit at the top table during the upcoming Syrian peace talks. National Interest reports: Iran’s Plan for Syria Without Assad On February 25, 1987, late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad sent his troops to the Fathallah barracks in West Beirut, where they killed twenty-seven members of Hezbollah in [...]