The map of territorial control in Syria has begun shifting like a reshuffled jigsaw. As control shifts, analysts say it's clear that President Assad and President Putin are being empowered, and the Kurds and the US are losing power. (1/3)
“Others may want to come in and fight for one side or the other,” he posted on Twitter on Sunday. “Let them!”
As the regime’s troops creep north, it looks like Assad will be able to take back swathes of northern Syria — possibly even without a fight. Last week, Kurdish forces controlled about a quarter of the country — an area rich in oil, water and agriculture. It represented the largest chunk of Syria not in state hands.
“Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria and greenlight the Turkish assault hammered a deadly nail in the coffin of the Kurdish dream.”Russian and Syrian national flags flutter on military vehicles near Manbij, Syria on Oct. 15, 2019.Russia is now the undisputed power broker in the region with Iran also benefiting. America’s leverage and influence have disappeared and there are risks of a wider confrontation among Turkey, Syria and perhaps even Russia.
“This speaks volumes about the decline of the U.S.’ role and the rise of Russia’s,” he said. “A new regional order is in the making. The Syrian moment might be remembered as a turning point in the emergence of this new regional order.” “All of this is a function of being viewed as a kind of new player, as a central power broker in the region,” he said. “The events of the last week are just going to further cement that.”
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