Fall of Assad Government in Syria: A Major Blow to Russia’s Influence in the Middle East—Thanks to Russia’s military power, Bashar al-Assad remained in power in Syria for almost a decade. However, a sudden storm of rebel activity led to the Assad government’s downfall within just 10 days.
This event cannot be considered solely an internal matter of Syria; it is deeply related to the geopolitical strategies of superpower nations.
Russia, which played a key role in maintaining Assad’s regime, has suffered a significant blow due to the collapse of the Syrian government. Already embroiled in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Russia found it challenging to safeguard its position in Syria. The fall of Assad has also shattered Russia’s remaining hopes of maintaining influence in the Middle East.
In 2015, Russia and Iran joined forces to save Assad’s government from collapse. Russia deployed a large-scale military presence in Syria and established multiple air bases. However, with Assad’s removal, this presence has effectively ended.
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Meanwhile, Alexander Dugin, often referred to as “Putin’s guru,” has openly criticized Turkey’s role in the crisis. Dugin stated that Syria was a trap for Erdogan, calling Turkey’s actions a strategic mistake and accusing it of betraying Russia and Iran. He predicted that Turkey’s actions would lead to its downfall, asserting that Arab nations would never accept Turkey’s leadership.
Dugin also reminded Turkey of the support Russia extended during the failed coup attempt in 2016, adding that Erdogan would regret his decisions. Despite Western narratives about Russia’s weakening position, Dugin dismissed them as misconceptions, emphasizing that Russia remains strong.
Fall of Assad Government in Syria: A Major Blow to Russia’s Influence in the Middle East- In 2015, Russia sent thousands of troops to Syria and operated key airbases, including Hem Air Base. President Vladimir Putin visited the base in 2017 and declared the mission a victory. In return for its assistance, Russia secured a 49-year lease for the Tartus naval base and Hem Air Base, establishing a strategic foothold in the Mediterranean region. These bases were critical for Russia’s military operations and contracts in Africa.
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Now, with Assad gone, Russia may lose these facilities. However, Russia has kept its options open, offering political asylum to Assad. Iran remains Russia’s only strong ally in the Middle East.
Turkey is trusted to have played a significant role in supporting the rise of rebels in Syria, seeking to maintain control over Northern Syria. Reports suggest Turkey carried out behind-the-scenes activities to strengthen the opposition forces against Assad, leading to the current scenario.
