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A flag of the United Nations flies at the United Nations Offices in Geneva on August 14, 2025. (Getty Images)
The protests in Iran pose a challenge to the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic. Ironically, this grave threat arises just as Iran has reached the apex of its influence in the Middle East. It now exercises considerable sway over four Arab countries, the most important of which is Syria.
On Wednesday, January 10, Hudson Institute hosted a discussion examining the state of play in Iran and its impact on the conflict in Syria. To help us understand the Syrian dimension of the question, we were honored to host Dr. Kamal al-Labwani, a Syrian native and a physician. Dr. al-Labwani is a prominent Syrian dissident. Reuel Marc Gerecht analyzed the Iranian aspects of the problem, and Hudson Senior Fellow Michael Doran moderated the discussion.
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Related Research
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(Screenshot via YouTube)
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(Screenshot via BBC)
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A US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flies over the US Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury, March 9, 2026. (US Air Force)