I'm John Batchler. I welcome my colleague Bill Rajio, Senior Fellow Foundation for the Defense of Democracy.

Syria. Syria is a darkness visible state since the Civil War broke out 15 years ago. However,

there is a new government in Damascus headed by the self-appointed Al-Sharra, the president of Syria.

At the same time, there is Iran in open conflict

with the United States and Israel. What is to be connecting these is the fact that for all the

years except for since the fall of the Assad regime, Syria was linked closely with Iran,

providing a highway that ran from Iran across Syria

into Lebanon to supply the Hezbollah. That highway no longer exists, I'm told, but

Ahmed Sharrari of the Foundation for Defense of Democracy joins.

Ahmed, the Iranians have broken off peace talks, armistice talks, ceasefire talks with the U.S.

Does this in any fashion influence decisions made in Damascus about Hezbollah, about Iran, the IRGC,

about the suggestion that the IRGC is seeking to reestablish that highway

for a supply of Hezbollah.

Is that a conversation piece in Syria, in Iran now, to rebuild what we had?

Good evening to you.

Good evening, John.

So, I mean, even during the war, Iran still aimed to reestablish that highway.

We've seen multiple introductions by the Syrian government of weapons going to Lebanon

through the same highway that the Iranians have been using along with Hasballah during the Syrian civil

war. So Iran always maintained that ambition following the fall of the regime in December

2024. And I think what's important here is that despite these talks breaking down or even if

a deal is signed between Iran and the United States, Iran's

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