years. what is iran s strongest ally up to. what s what we are asking van berman. he is the author of day horan rising. this is a country that is shrouded in mystery to many americans. what should americans really know about syria. this is the $64,000 question. there is not a lot to like in the debate about syria. there are a number of key things we need to understand. first syria is the last remaining baathishs regime. syria and iran were both run by baathist. a lot of that explains why syria has taken such an unconstructive role in it s treatment of the coalition in iraq. it sees itself as the last man standing after the u.s.-led overthrow of iraq.