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
25 July 2025
KRG, Iraq’s central government and Turkey are all working to get exports flowing from the key port, but complications remain
25 July 2025
Mozambique’s insurgency continues, but the security situation near the LNG site has significantly improved, with TotalEnergies aiming to lift its force majeure within months
25 July 2025
There is a bifurcation in the global oil market as China’s stockpiling contrasts with reduced inventories elsewhere
24 July 2025
The reaction to proposed sanctions on Russian oil buyers has been muted, suggesting trader fatigue with Trump’s frequent bold and erratic threats