Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan positions himself to capitalize on the downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Erdogan’s strategic ties with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now in control in Damascus, have handed Turkiye significant influence in the region.
The collapse of Assad’s regime has weakened Iran and Russia, Turkiye’s long-standing regional rivals, and may pave the way for a rapprochement between Turkiye and the United States.
However, the situation in Syria remains precarious, with the specter of instability, extremism, and humanitarian crises looming large.
As Erdogan navigates this complex landscape, he faces a delicate balancing act: advancing Turkiye’s interests while addressing the pressing security and humanitarian concerns in Syria.
The outcome will have far-reaching implications for the region and beyond.
