Der Zusammenbruch des Assad-Regimes ist eine verheerende Niederlage für Iran

The [swift collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syria-assad-fall-rebels-hts-what-now-rcna183401) represents a devastating defeat for Iran, the latest in a string of setbacks that have punctured long held assumptions in the West about [Tehran’s military prowess](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-iran-strike-retaliation-live-updates-rcna177303).

In recent months, Iran has proved unable to thwart Israeli covert operations from targeting key figures in the regime, defend itself from damaging Israeli airstrikes, or protect an ally next door that was a linchpin in its regional proxy network, dubbed the “axis of resistance.”

For decades, Syria has served as a vital land bridge to Iran’s Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, allowing Tehran to ferry weapons to its partners across the Syrian border. After a [mass uprising against Assad](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44696306) in 2011, Russia provided air power for Damascus and Iran propped up the brutal ruler with weapons, cash, Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers and militants from Iranian-backed proxy forces in Lebanon, Iraq and elsewhere.