With the Assads potentially headed to a luxe haven for exiles in Moscow, Vladimir Putin is left scrambling to save his two bases in Syria and maintain his foothold in the region.
As rebels stormed into Damascus and toppled a feared family that ruled Syria for half a century, a mystery plane was taking off from the country's north.
No longer a kingmaker or puppeteer, Putin's role in the Assad family's life has been reduced to that of landlord. Two strategically important Russian military facilities are located in Syria, and their potential loss imperils Putin's ambitions, according to Cooper. And in 1971, president Hafez al-Assad's freshly installed government gave the Soviet superpower an opportunity to gain a foothold.
Ten years of uncertainty would pass before another dramatic shift in 2000 would herald a new era and a change of management in both countries. The heavy investment in Syria appeared to pay off for both leaders, at a huge cost to the civilian population. With the economy in tatters, Syria's leader was forced to rely more on his allies, Iran and Russia, for support.
As he made a late night dash to Moscow, the West greeted the collapse of his regime with some degree of wariness.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have both released statements expressing hope for the future of the Syrian people. The outcome may depend on how the next few days play out and if a power struggle ensues among the victors in Syria.
acknowledged more "family assets are believed to be spread out and concealed in numerous accounts, real estate portfolios, corporations, and offshore tax havens
Syria Loss Rebels Bashar Al-Assad Regime Military Base Funding Sanctions
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