What Does the Ousting of al-Assad Mean to the world?

With the ouster of Syrian autocrat Bashar al-Assad by the rebels ending the 50 years rule of the Assad family, a new era has begun in Syria. But the question is: Where does Syria head to, from where it is now? And what does the ousting of al-Assad mean to the world? Shaping up of the next Syria involves more than one interest: interests of the Iran, Russia, Turkey on the one hand, and the U.S. and Israel on the other.

The civil war in Syria had been on for the last 13 years, but al-Assad managed to stay on, crushing every rebellion against his regime with the support of his trusted allies like Russia and Iran, also Turkey. But with Russia engaged fighting Ukraine and its allies (the U.S. and the West), a weakened Russia allegedly did not show much interest in supporting al-Assad this time. Iran likewise is engaged in a war against Israel and a weakened Iran had little interest to help Assad. Taking advantage of this geopolitical situation, the rebels this time waged a war that proved decisive.

According to analysis being offered by geopolitics experts, Iran would be at the receiving end due to the falls of al-Assad as Syria of his regime acted as a medium for Iran to deliver weapons to Hezbollah. Now which way the rebel-supported regime of Mohammed al-Bashir in Syria, will tilt, would be too early to predict. Another nation that has been impacted is Russia. Russia had two strategic bases in Syria offered by al-Bashar. But with al-Bashar now gone, Russia is desperate to align with the rebels to save its strategic bases in Syria, and Moscow is reportedly in contact with the rebels to secure their support for the safety of its military bases. But it is too early to say what is in offing for Russia.

The U.S. maintains military presence at different bases around Syria. The U.S., given the direct involvement of Russia and Iran, will try to influence of the course of future of Syria in the coming does. American President Joe Biden has already spoken about the developments in Syria, stating that the U.S. is “mindful” of what is happening in Syria. The Israel on the other hand has entered its military into Golan Heights of Syria and reportedly destroyed strategic weapons in Syria, necessary for its own national security. Turkey on the other hand is involved in the situation in a more complicated manner and observers feel that without the consent of Turkey, it would not have been possible for the rebels to do what they did. What Turkey gains out of al-Assad’s ouster and the take-over of Syria by rebels will now has to be seen as events unfold there.

Syria has now become a fertile ground for world powers to sow seeds they want to grow and reap. Only time will tell what each of the world powers is up to. But one thing is clear: The ramification of the fall of Damascus transcends the middle-east and would be felt in world over.