Syria’s Political Earthquake – and What Comes Next

The Assad regime's stunning fall from power will bring opportunity and risk to one of the most important nations in the Middle East.

An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after rebels and their allies entered the northern Syrian city, on November 30, 2024. (Photo by MOHAMMED AL-RIFAI/AFP via Getty Images)

By Tom Nagorski

Tom Nagorski is the Managing Editor for The Cipher Brief.  He previously served as Global Editor for Grid and served as ABC News Managing Editor for International Coverage as well as Senior Broadcast Producer for World News Tonight.

DEEP DIVE – The Assad family – Hafez al-Assad and then his son Bashar – ruled Syria for 53 years. Their regimes were known for their iron grip, the jailing and torture of dissenters, and alliances with Russia, Iran and the militant group Hezbollah. 

The revolution, when it came, took just ten days. 

Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+ Member.

Sign Up Log In

Categorized as:Middle East ReportingTagged with:

Related Articles

Search

Close