Part 7/9:
Social media reacted rapidly, with many suggesting that this incident demonstrates the treacherous nature of political alliances within the world stage. Opinions across platforms echoed suspicions that if Putin did attempt to poison Al-Assad, it wouldn’t be surprising given his historical patterns of eliminating threats.
A Changing Political Landscape in Syria
Further complicating Al-Assad's precarious position is the fact that negotiations have reportedly been ongoing between Russian officials and rebel factions in Syria. This indicates Russia's potential pivot away from supporting Al-Assad, seeking to preserve its interests in the region—as it has invested heavily in military bases within Syria.