Iranian Discontent Heightens Cross-Border Threat to Syria, Experts Say
Syrian authorities' announcement late Friday that they had foiled a major drug-smuggling operation from Lebanon in the Serghaya area of rural Damascus drew attention for one particular reason: the operation was handled by Defense Ministry troops rather than internal security forces, security expert Diaa Qaddour told Asharq Al-Awsat. Another military analyst linked the growing tensions along Syria's borders with Lebanon and Iraq to Iran's dissatisfaction with the Syrian government.
