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 Syria Size: 185,180 square kilometers. Population: 15.2 million. |
Syrian President Bashar Assad has been unable to significantly improve the
military. Negotiations with Russia in 2001 failed to result in any
purchases. Instead, Damascus has focused on developing its missile arsenal.
With massive help from China and North Korea, Syria has completed deployment
of the Scud-C and development of the Scud-D. Both missiles are being
prepared for nonconventional warheads.Assad has increased his ties with and linked his fortunes to Iran. Iran has
provided Syria with financial and development aid. In return, Syria has
allowed Iran to gain a foothold in Lebanon and the Iranian-sponsored
Hizbullah to dominate southern Lebanon. Iran and Hizbullah have also helped
Syria's 30,000 troops and 1 million laborers to remain in Lebanon.
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