“Looks like Iranian expansion in Syria is faltering”
I don’t think it is faltering. I think it is a sign of success, success at embedding Iran’s Syrian and Hezbolla allies into the Syrian official military organs and Syrian government institutions. The embeds are in tons positions both high and low. Someday they may have the ability to displace Assad, and Assad will not be able to go to Syrian Sunni groups for support as they dominate the Syrian opposition to Assad. He will have to take asylum in Russia. Iran and Russia will have converted Syria into their joint protectorate on the Mediterranean. And Assad, who invited them in, will be the loser.
“I don’t think it is faltering. I think it is a sign of success, success at embedding Iran’s Syrian and Hezbolla allies into the Syrian official military organs and Syrian government institutions.”
I agree that they are succeeding at embedding their agents within Syria for a long term subversion effort. They take the long view in that, as evidenced by their long term cultivation of Hezbollah in Lebanon. It is their model.
It being the Middle East however, those Syrians now signing on with Iran, might well shift sides later, if the winds of fortune begin to blow in a different direction. Iran mostly has to buy or rent its friends.
But their more aggressive (and nearer term) heavy Military buildup against Israel, and Turkish-supported Sunni militants, does seem to be taking a step back.