Russia and Iran have penetrated the Syrian Arab Army’s command-and-control authorities at all levels and propped up the force by

providing the bulk of its offensive combat power. The pro-regime coalition cannot secure all of Syria and primarily serves as a vehicle

for Moscow and Tehran’s regional power projection.

Any U.S. strategy in Syria that relies on pro-regime forces will fail to destroy

Salafi-Jihadists while empowering Iran and Russia.