|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/28/world/middleeast/iran-sanctions-arab-allies.html
As U.S. Tightens Sanctions, Iran's Network of Allies Feels the Pain
(New York Times) Ben Hubbard - Syrian militiamen paid by Iran have seen their salaries slashed. Projects Iran promised to help Syria's ailing economy have stalled. Employees of Hizbullah say they have missed paychecks and lost other perks. Iran's financial crisis, exacerbated by American sanctions, appears to be undermining its support for militant groups who bolster Iranian influence in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere. "The golden days are gone and will never return," said a fighter with an Iranian-backed militia in Syria who recently lost a third of his salary. But analysts question how much funding cuts will change the behavior of these groups, which are relatively inexpensive and remain ideologically committed to Iran's agenda.