Russia's Influence in Syria is Waning: Assad Overthrown, Future Uncertain

In a dramatic turning point in current events, Syrian rebels successfully took control of the capital Damascus, deposing President Bashar al-Assad, who had tightly steered the country's fate for over 13 years. This episode marks a significant shift for the Middle East, characterized by ongoing conflicts. Although Russia has played a pivotal role in the Syrian civil war since 2015 and presented itself as a reliable ally of Assad, its capacity for influence is currently limited due to involvement in the Ukraine conflict. While Russia continues to maintain its two military bases in Syria, these remain operational under the watchful eyes of the international community, as does the Russian embassy in Damascus. Konstantin Kosachyov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council, expressed skepticism about an imminent end to the civil war, citing the multitude of conflicting interests and groups, including terrorist organizations. His focus is on protecting Russian citizens and diplomatic representations on-site. Russia's support will henceforth be directed towards the needs of the Syrian population, but not in the context of a full-scale civil war.