In a debate on Russian Россия 24 (Rossiya 24) TV, Nicolai Platoshkin, Head of the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Moscow University and political analyst said, "It’s been a long time since we (Russia and Iran) have been on the same front. Without them, who is supposed to fight (the terrorists) on the ground in Syria?", he added, "We saw what happened in Eyn al-Assad (US airbase in Iraq). They (Iranians) showed the absolute power to them (Americans) and it was over."