My apologies, I'm talking specifically about the 4e timeline. In the 4E canon timeline, it's clear that Syria and Iran are already on board with the USSR. In fact, it appears as though the apocalypse really starts specifically because of those three countries working together.
The official timeline from 4e follows (summarized):
1998 - After more than a decade of occupation, Israel retreats from Lebanon, under heavy fire from Hezbollah. Syria attempts to capitalize, and attacks the Golan Heights. Israel pushes back hard, deep into Syria. In response as Israel reaches just a few miles from Damascus, al-Assad starts using chemical weapons, driving Israel out of Syria. With the help of Iranian and Soviet airstrikes and Soviet warships in the Mediterranean, Syrian forces descend into northern Israel. Israel calls for aid from the US, but the US balks, already heavily engaged in Europe. Israel, thinking they're alone, decides to use tactical nuclear weapons.
Which brings me back to what we were talking about previously - in the 4th edition, the USSR is already somewhat isolated, geopolitically speaking. Most of Europe has either already joined NATO, or is at least more friendly with NATO than they are with the Soviets. Hence why I think it makes sense for China to get on board with the Axis as well as possibly India, given that Pakistan, their primary regional enemy, is already aligned with the US.
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