Syria’s turmoil shakes Iran and Hamas
The turmoil in Syria already appears to be adjusting the strategic map in the Middle East — possibly eroding the positions of Iran and the radical Palestinian group Hamas.
U.S. officials see signs that Syria’s embattled president, Bashar al-Assad, has concluded that to survive the massive protests against his regime, which continued today across the country, he will have to distance himself somewhat from Iran. The protesters have largely been Sunni Muslims who have criticized Assad’s alliance with the Shiite Muslim leadership of Iran. That anger grew last week after U.S. intelligence reports revealed that Iran had secretly supplied Assad with tear gas, anti-riot gear and other tools of suppression.