The ceasefire in the month long war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding. But the politicking and jockeying for power has only begun. Hezbollah claims victory - they survived the punishing attacks of the Israeli Defence Forces. Israel too has declared military superiority - they say they decimated Hezbollah's infrastructure and weaponry. But beyond the posturing of the two sides of the conflict, the fallout from the war is much more complicated and nuanced. Egypt and Saudi Arabia condemned Hezbollah for instigating the war and are now breathing a sigh of relief that things between Lebanon and Israel didn't get completely out of control. Meanwhile Syria and Iran, no friends of Israel, are basking in the glow of Hezbollah's perceived military success. As the Lebanese militia's main suppliers of money, weapons and military training, Syria and Iran play a critical role in making, and keeping, the peace in the area. But are these two countries really suited to a long term alliance against Israel and the U.S.? Syria and Iran may have common cause and enemies in this round of middle east conflict, but is it a viable marriage - socially, politically or religiously?Old wounds have been re-opened in the Middle East and this morning we ask two regional analysts to weigh in on the complicated relationships between these countries and their political factions.

Joshua Landis is an assistant professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oklahoma. His blog, Syriacomment.com, is an authoritative source of information on the history and political regime in Syria. Afshin Molavi is a journalist and fellow with the New America Foundation. He was born in Iran, and moved to the U.S. at a young age. He recently returned there to write a political travelogue, "The Soul of Iran" which was published by Penguin last year...

For the interview, please go to the CBC Radio Website.