Tehran, January 12, The Iran Project – 2016 already began while Iran's neighboring countries have been spending last year confronting numerous challenges which have extended to the New Year, as well. In what follows, a brief description of the expected developments will be presented.


Syria: Political reconciliation and government's consolidation of power


Compared to other countries in the region, Syria has been the most repeated name used in 2015 media headlines. The same also applies for Iran due to the nuclear deal stroke in mid-July and Russia for launching a military campaign in Syria albeit to a much lesser extent.


Due to the refugee crisis, as the most significant aftermath of five years of war in Syria, this war-torn country has been the center of the world's attention in 2015.


Considering the Damascus government's military superiority and weakening of the anti-government terrorist front, Syria seems to moves toward a political reconciliation in which the opponents of the Syrian legal government have no choice but to include Assad's role in future of the country.


Another scenario to be expected is Israel or Saudi Arabia plot to murder the president Assad, the likely case which undoubtedly will undermine any future prospect for peace in the country.



Iraq: Moving toward national integration or collapse?


The Iraqi government continues to find itself locked in the horn of dilemma in the New Year. The Iraqi Kurd, as a major separatist movement in Iraq backed by Turkey, US, Israel and Saudi Arabia, has intensified measures, challenging the Iraqi central government with the dilemma of national integration or disintegration.


Ejecting ISIS is the top priority to Iraqi military and popular resistance but what undermines the all-out confrontation against the terrorist forces is the vicious schism and the escalation of tensions between Sunni and Shia stimulated by foreign powers.


The truth is that Iraqi Kurdish struggle to achieve independence backed by foreign wealth leaves no other room for Shia and Sunni competition over gaining more political share since it may end up collapse of the whole country.


Lebanon: It all depends on Syria


The establishment of the national reconciliation government in Syria connotes that the all attempts to destabilize the key Hezbollah ally have been already foiled, a likely case which on one hand promotes the peace in Lebanon and on the other hand fully contradicts with Israeli interests.


This is why Tel-Aviv occupying regime which sees its security in destabilizing other countries contemplates a plot which brings chaos in Lebanon, a scenario which is doomed to fail due to the recent accomplishments gained by pro-Assad forces in Syria.


Considering the Russia and Iran involvement and mutual partnership in Syria crisis which have tipped the balance of power in favor of the Syrian government's consolidation of power, it is expected that Beirut moves toward peace through the path of presidential election.


Yemen: inevitable ceasefire and political settlement of dispute


The strength of the axis of resistance during some eight months into the tragic Saudi war against Yemen inevitably leaves Saudi leadership with two possible choices: to agree with cease fire and the withdrawal of troops or to continue a costly military campaign with no clear strategy to end this quagmire-like war.


Of course the Saudi family internal challenge affects the settlement of the dispute in Yemen to the certain extent, but due to the recent developments in Yemen ground which has critically challenged the Saudi aggression and intervention, the country wouldn't be willing to repeat the same mistakes and failure in Iraq and Syria this time in Yemen.


Given the current human crisis in Yemen caused by several months of Saudi deadly war, Houthis that have agreed on the seven-point UN peace plan seem to remain loyal to political reconciliation until they reinforce to make a powerful comeback to the political scene.


Bahrain: continuation of Shia crackdown by Al Khalif


In the light of human rights organizations and Western countries indifference and passivity, Khalif family is expected to continue heavy-handed crackdown on public as the last year. Despite the Manama government's repressive policies against the nation and political activists, however, the anti-regime protests will last until the fulfillment of the righteous demands.