With Damascus and its allies firmly in control of Syria's largest cities and the vast majority of Syrian territory west of the Euphrates - not only has the US-led proxy war against the nation failed - with Russian and Iranian forces involved indefinitely - the return of additional territory under Damascus' control seems all but inevitable.
However, the US still holds territory east of the Euphrates, and - as American policymakers like to gloat -
much of Syria's oil wealth falls within this territory illegally occupied by US troops.
There is also the northern city of Idlib and surrounding countryside - the future of which is still nebulous due to the presence of Turkish forces and Ankara's ever-shifting agenda and alliances.
Each side involved in the proxy war has pursued a number of policies - diplomatic, political, and military in nature - to strengthen their positions before the war finally concludes.
For Damascus, Russia, and Iran - decisive military victories across western Syria have served as the central pillar of Syria's victory over the foreign-backed militancy. Diplomatic efforts both within Syrian borders and beyond them continue and also play a significant role in ending the war in all of Syria's favor - even including many groups involved in opposing the government now being offered amnesty and reconciliation.
Comment: The Iran sanctions are proving to be as 'effective' as the Russia sanctions, and this time the blowback could be even more regrettable: