Iran and Russia, both stretched by conflicts of their own, have experienced setbacks in Syria after a rebel offensive in the northwest of the country.

A lightning offensive in Syria last week broke a prolonged stalemate 13 years into Syria's civil war and emphasized the vulnerability of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Why it matters: Rebels last week reclaimed nearly all of Aleppo,

The 13-year civil war in Syria has roared back into prominence with a surprise rebel offensive on one of Syria’s largest cities and ancient business hub.

They intervened on his side against rebel groups that ranged from the jihadist extremists of Islamic State to militias supported by the US and the rich Gulf monarchies. Now Iran is reeling from severe blows inflicted by Israel,

Eight years ago, Syria’s civil war shifted in President Bashar Al-Assad’s favor after a Russian blitzkrieg on Aleppo helped him regain control over the country’s second biggest city.

Bashar al-Assad has vowed to violently crush a major Syrian rebel offensive because it is the “only language that terrorism understands”.

Opposition supporters are ecstatic but others are wary of their new Islamist rulers as Assad regime begins counteroffensive

On "Forbes Newsroom," Gregory Brew, Senior Analyst at the Eurasia Group, discussed the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Assad’s favor after a Russian blitzkrieg on Aleppo helped him regain control over the country’s second biggest city.