A man burns a picture of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad close to Syria's border with Lebanon
Assad’s downfall is bad news for Iran
The collapse of the Syrian dictator’s regime will weaken Tehran in profound ways both economically and geopolitically
The rapid collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has triggered profound shifts in the Middle East, rapidly reshaping the region’s geopolitical dynamics. This change can be attributed to the growing discord between Iran and Russia, coupled with Turkey's opportunistic approach towards the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Iran's strategic plans, including the use of Syria as a transit hub for its proxies and a route to the Mediterranean, are now in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Turkey has seized the opportunity to enhance its regional influence. This evolving situation is expected to shift the power balance in West Asia, leaving Iran in a weakened position as it becomes more dependent on China and
Also in this section
24 December 2025
As activity in the US Gulf has stagnated at a lower level, the government is taking steps to encourage fresh exploration and bolster field development work
23 December 2025
The new government has brought stability and security to the country, with the door now open to international investment
23 December 2025
A third wave of LNG supply is coming, and with it a likely oversupply of the fuel by 2028
22 December 2025
Weakening climate resolve in the developed world and rapidly growing demand in developing countries means peak oil is still a long way away
