Part 8/10:
The swift collapse of Assad's regime presents significant implications for Russia's strategic standing in the Middle East. For over a decade, Moscow's military presence in Syria underpinned their influence in the region, serving as a critical power projection hub. Now, with Assad's departure to Moscow and the new Syrian government uncertain, the future of Russian military bases in Syria hangs in the balance.
Should a new government emerge that is less favorable to Russian interests, the potential for a shift in alliances could severely undermine previously robust geopolitical advantages. Furthermore, Russia's diminished military capacity following the war in Ukraine casts doubt on its ability to maintain effective influence in Syria moving forward.