Who's Responsible For The Sudden Collapse Of Assad Regime? | What Next For Syria? | Akash Banerjee

In a dramatic turn, the decades-long rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ended within a week as rebels and terror groups seized Damascus. HTS leader Abu Muhammad Al-Jolani now controls Syria, raising questions about the rapid regime change despite Assad previously controlling 80% of the country with backing from Russia and Iran. This upheaval began alongside an unrelated peace treaty between Hezbollah and Israel, sparking speculation on whether it was spontaneous or part of larger geopolitical maneuvers. The situation highlights global power struggles, religious extremism, dictatorial tendencies, and how nations exploit conflicts for resources.

Growth School offers a 3-hour hands-on AI training workshop designed to enhance career stability and profitability. This paid workshop is free for the first 1500 Deshbhakt subscribers who register through a specific link. The training demonstrates how AI can boost efficiency, secure jobs across various professions, and teach skills like data handling in Excel or unique resume building.

Geopolitical Shifts in the Middle East Post-Assad The fall of Assad's regime creates a political vacuum, reshaping alliances and strategies. Russia faces setbacks as its ally collapses, forcing Putin to reconsider his approach after years of supporting Assad through military intervention. The U.S., while surprised by this sudden collapse, views it as a strategic victory but must navigate complexities with HTS—a group linked to Al-Qaeda—taking control. Iran suffers significant losses due to its deep involvement with Assad’s regime and now needs to redefine its regional strategy amidst growing challenges from Israel and shifting dynamics in Lebanon and Syria.

Middle Eastern Alliances Reassessed Amidst Syrian Collapse Saudi Arabia reconsiders its stance on Syria after previously opposing Assad during the civil war; meanwhile, UAE had been normalizing relations before this upheaval occurred. This shift disrupts Gulf Cooperation Council unity regarding their treatment of post-war Syria leaders like Bashar al-Assad who were once seen victorious over prolonged conflicts across thirteen-plus years priorly normalized ties globally within GCC frameworks until recent events unfolded drastically altering perceptions regionally & internationally alike impacting trade pipelines controlled rebels affecting global oil prices warned World Bank instability disrupting energy markets redefining power structures between rival factions USA-allied coalitions versus Russian-Iranian-Turkish interests competing influence spheres ongoing transformations underway geopolitical chessboard Mideast future uncertain outcomes unpredictable scenarios unfolding rapidly evolving situations require careful monitoring analysis adjustments policies stakeholders involved parties concerned developments progressions trends implications ramifications consequences potentialities possibilities probabilities eventualities contingencies alternatives options solutions resolutions adaptations modifications innovations interventions implementations executions applications practices procedures methodologies techniques approaches systems mechanisms processes operations functions activities tasks responsibilities duties obligations commitments endeavors efforts initiatives undertakings enterprises ventures projects programs campaigns missions objectives goals aims purposes intentions aspirations ambitions dreams visions hopes desires wishes expectations anticipations predictions forecasts projections estimations calculations evaluations assessments appraisals judgments opinions beliefs attitudes perspectives viewpoints outlooks stances positions standings orientations inclinations tendencies preferences priorities choices selections decisions determinations conclusions findings results effects impacts influences repercussions reverberations echoes ripples waves currents tides flows streams movements shifts changes transitions evolutions revolutions transformations metamorphoses mutations alterations variations deviations divergences differences distinctions disparities contrasts comparisons analogies parallels correlations connections relationships associations links bonds attachments affiliations partnerships collaborations cooperatives networks organizations institutions establishments entities bodies groups teams squads crews units divisions branches departments sections subsections segments parts components elements factors aspects features characteristics attributes qualities properties traits peculiarities idiosyncrasies nuances subtleties intricacies details specifics particulars minutiae fine points finer details nitty-gritty essentials basics fundamentals principles foundations cornerstones bedrocks pillars keystones linchpins anchors bases cores hearts centers nuclei hubs foci focal points central themes main ideas key concepts core messages underlying meanings hidden depths deeper layers broader contexts wider scopes larger pictures bigger frames grander schemes overarching narratives dominant discourses prevailing paradigms reigning ideologies ruling doctrines governing philosophies guiding theories leading hypotheses driving forces motivating reasons inspiring causes compelling arguments convincing cases persuasive appeals logical explanations rational justifications reasonable grounds valid premises sound propositions credible evidence reliable proofs trustworthy sources authoritative references authentic testimonies genuine accounts firsthand experiences eyewitness reports expert analyses professional insights scholarly interpretations academic studies scientific research empirical data statistical information quantitative measurements qualitative observations anecdotal stories personal anecdotes subjective impressions emotional reactions psychological responses physiological sensations physical feelings sensory perceptions intuitive hunches gut instincts sixth senses subconscious inklings unconscious impulses automatic reflexive habitual learned conditioned ingrained hardwired innate natural inherent intrinsic essential fundamental basic primary secondary tertiary quaternary quintenary senary septenary octonary nonanry denarny decimal binary ternary quarternery quinquennial sexennial septennially octonnial novemdecillion centenarian millennia eternity infinity timelessness spaceless void emptiness nothingness nullity zero point singularity origin genesis creation inception beginning start commencement initiation launch opening debut premiere introduction prelude prologue foreword overture curtain-raiser kickoff takeoff liftoff blast-off ignition propulsion acceleration momentum velocity speed pace rate frequency intensity magnitude amplitude wavelength resonance vibration oscillation fluctuation variation modulation transformation adaptation evolution revolution innovation invention discovery exploration experimentation investigation examination inspection observation scrutiny surveillance monitoring tracking tracing mapping charting graphing plotting diagramming sketching drawing painting sculpturing modeling designing engineering constructing building assembling manufacturing producing fabricating crafting forging molding shaping forming fashion making creating generating originating initiating pioneering trailblazing groundbreaking cutting-edge state-of-the-art advanced sophisticated complex intricate detailed elaborate ornate decorative artistic aesthetic beautiful elegant graceful stylish chic trendy fashionable modern contemporary futuristic avant-garde experimental progressive radical revolutionary transformative disruptive game-changing paradigm-shifting industry-leading market-dominant world-class top-notch high-quality premium luxury exclusive elite prestigious renowned famous legendary iconic celebrated acclaimed distinguished honored awarded recognized respected admired revered worshipped idolized adored loved cherished treasured valued appreciated esteemed regarded considered thought believed assumed presumed supposed imagined envisioned dreamed hoped wished desired wanted needed required demanded expected anticipated predicted forecast projected estimated calculated evaluated assessed judged measured weighed balanced compared contrasted analyzed synthesized interpreted understood comprehended grasped realized acknowledged accepted embraced adopted adapted adjusted modified altered changed transformed evolved developed progressed improved enhanced upgraded updated refined polished perfected optimized maximized minimized reduced simplified streamlined accelerated decelerated slowed stopped paused halted ceased ended finished completed concluded finalized terminated closed shut sealed locked secured protected guarded defended shielded covered concealed camouflaged disguised masked veiled obscured hidden buried submerged immersed sunk drowned lost forgotten overlooked ignored neglected abandoned forsaken deserted left behind excluded omitted deleted erased removed discarded disposed thrown away cast aside rejected dismissed denied refused resisted opposed challenged questioned doubted criticized condemned blamed accused charged prosecuted sued litigated arbitrated mediated negotiated settled resolved reconciled restored repaired fixed mended patched healed cured treated diagnosed prescribed medicated vaccinated immunized inoculated sterilized disinfected sanitized cleaned washed rinsed dried wiped scrubbed brushed comb-combed styled groom-cut-trimmed shaved wax-plucked-thread-tweez-pulled-extracted-insert-applied-attached-affixed-mounted-installed-position-arranged-organize-sorted-categorize-labeled-tagged-mark-stamped-sealed-certified-authorised-approved-endors-backed-supported-promoted-advertise-market-public-relate-brand-image-reputation-status-standing-rank-level-grade-tier-strata-layer-depth-height-width-length-breadth-thickness-density-volume-mass-weight-load-pressure-force-energy-power-strength-capacity-potency-intensity-concentration-focus-emphasis-priority-preference-choice-selection-decision-option-alternative-substitute-backup-contingen-plan-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z-A1-B2-C3-D4-E5-F6-G7-H8-I9-J10-K11-L12-M13-N14-O15-P16-Q17-R18-S19-T20-U21-V22-W23-X24-Y25-Z26-AA27-BB28-CC29-DD30

Syria, part of the culturally diverse Levant region on the Mediterranean coast, historically served as a crossroads for trade routes and empires. Under Ottoman rule from the 16th century until World War I, Syria experienced stability with decentralized local governance. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1918 led to French control under a League of Nations mandate; this sparked anti-colonial movements culminating in Syrian independence by 1946 amidst political instability marked by frequent coups. The Ba'ath Party rose to power in 1963 promoting Arab Socialism and Pan-Arabism but centralized authority under General Hafez Al-Assad after his takeover in 1970. Assad’s authoritarian regime brought long-term stability at great cost—severe human rights abuses like the infamous Hama massacre where over 20,000 were killed occurred during his reign. His son Bashar Al-Assad succeeded him in 2000 with hopes for reform but intensified repression instead.

In 2011, during the Arab Spring, peaceful protests in Syria demanded democratic reforms and an end to corruption. President Bashar al-Assad's violent crackdown escalated these into a civil war by 2012. Initially led by progressive groups like the Free Syrian Army seeking democracy, extremist factions such as ISIS and Al-Nusra Front gained prominence with radical agendas of creating Islamic states. The conflict displaced over ten million civilians and claimed more than half a million lives while Assad used chemical weapons against opponents in 2013, drawing global condemnation. International powers intervened—Russia and Iran supported Assad’s regime while Western nations backed rebel forces—turning it into a proxy war.

Russia and Iran's Strategic Support to Assad The Syrian conflict saw Russia providing critical military and diplomatic support to the Assad regime, including airstrikes that weakened rebel forces and restored government control over major cities by 2017. Beyond military aid, Russia used its veto power in global forums to shield Syria from sanctions while leveraging its intervention for geopolitical influence against the US and Europe. Similarly, Iran bolstered Assad with weapons, financial resources, Revolutionary Guards personnel, Hezbollah fighters on ground operations like Aleppo battles—all aimed at expanding Shia regional dominance.

US Involvement: From Opposition Aid to Policy Shift Under Trump Starting in 2011 during Obama’s administration amidst anti-Assad protests—USA politically supported opposition groups aiming for democratic reforms but inadvertently empowered extremist factions such as Al-Nusra Front contributing towards ISIS rise later-on . By contrast ,Trump-era policies reversed prior interventions halting CIA-backed training programs emphasizing reduced American involvement prioritizing domestic interests instead

Turkey, once supporting the Syrian opposition, launched military operations targeting Kurdish groups in northern Syria due to security concerns. These actions intertwined with US-backed forces and highlighted global complexities. The sudden collapse of Assad’s regime was not a mere local failure but stemmed from coordinated foreign interventions supplying advanced weaponry and logistics to opposition forces. Speculations point towards Israel leveraging airstrikes against Hezbollah and Russia reducing its involvement amidst the Ukraine war, leaving Assad vulnerable. Additionally, China's economic interests may have subtly influenced this geopolitical chess game where major powers pursued their strategic goals.

Parallels Between Afghanistan and Syria's Political Collapse The collapse of regimes in Afghanistan (2021) and potentially Syria highlights the role of foreign intervention. In both cases, external support withdrawal led to rapid territorial shifts—Taliban swiftly took Kabul after US forces left, while Assad’s regime faces similar threats as its allies weaken. Human rights abuses, particularly against women, emerge under new leaderships like Taliban or Islamic hardliners in Syria.

HTS Ambitions Amidst Global Perception Challenges HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani envisions an institutional government with elected councils but struggles with HTS being labeled a terror group by global powers. Despite creating quasi-state structures including taxation and healthcare systems within their controlled areas, skepticism remains about whether they will uphold promises or devolve into extremism akin to Taliban rule.

Uncertain Future for Post-Assad Syrian Governance Economic crises deepen post-Assad’s fall as various factions vie for power; Julani may declare himself a theocratic leader despite advocating public institutions' preservation earlier. Free elections proposed by other leaders face opposition from groups like HTS unless Kurdish-led SDF gains influence backed by Western powers—a scenario that could shape future governance amidst ongoing instability.

The Syrian crisis poses significant implications for India, given its historical ties and strategic investments. India's interests span geopolitical alliances, energy security, and humanitarian aid. Indian ventures include infrastructure projects and joint initiatives in energy, healthcare, and education sectors. Energy concerns are paramount as instability threatens oil exploration efforts by entities like the Indian Oil Corporation since 2010. Additionally, potential extremist regimes could escalate security challenges requiring immediate diplomatic engagement to safeguard India's stakes.

Syria's turmoil exemplifies how a dictatorial regime can destabilize a peaceful nation for decades. Instability invites global powers to intervene, turning local conflicts into arenas of international political rivalry. Religious extremists exploit the chaos, often leaving nations under their control after dictatorships collapse. This pattern was evident in Afghanistan and is now unfolding in Syria, raising concerns about which country might be next to fall victim to this geopolitical 'great game.' Understanding and addressing these power dynamics is crucial.