Valent power Syria

How has the power vacuum impacted Syria?

In the days since the collapse of the Assad regime, multiple countries have bombed targets in Syria, as the power vacuum unleashes a battle for the heart of the Middle East. A rebel fighter stands in front of a crowd celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in central Damascus. (Lorenzo Tugnoli for The Washington Post)

Which countries have a vested interest in Syria?

Those with a vested interest in the conflict and the future of the country include, on one side, Russia and Iran - which backed Assad - and on the other, the US and Turkey, which supported different rebel groups and militias. Here we explore how those countries, along with Israel, have played a role in Syria - and could continue to do so.

How will Syria's fall impact key players in the Middle East?

For Russia, Syria’s fall could mean losing its closest Middle Eastern ally and undermining its ability to project power while it fights a war in Ukraine. For Iran, it could shatter its so-called Axis of Resistance, comprising allied states and militias. Here’s how the events in Syria could impact key players in the Middle East:

Will Syrian rebels make an advance to Aleppo after Israel weakened Hezbollah?

Hadi al-Bahra, a Syrian opposition leader representing anti-Assad groups, including the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), said rebels felt encouraged to make an advance for Aleppo last week after Israel debilitated Hezbollah and weakened Iran’s footprint in the region.

Will a global effort remove explosive ordnance from Syria?

A mine clearance charity has called for a global effort to remove explosive ordnance from Syria. Large swathes of the country are covered with cluster munitions, missiles, landmines, grenades and other deadly explosive ordnance following years of civil war.

Does Russia have a presence in Syria?

The next government will also need to address the question of Russian presence in Syria. Russian forces retain control of Khmeimim Air Base and Tartus naval base on Syria's Mediterranean coast, two key strategic facilities from which Moscow helped keep Assad in power.