The changing Middle East – as neighbors fight for advantage

The lightning speed with which the rebels broke through Syria – delete the Assad dynasty after half a century – shocked the great regional and global powers. THE Middle East is evolving again. This creates new opportunities but also dangers.

Turkey, Israel, the United States, Russia and Iran are now fighting to protect their interests or seek advantage amid the turmoil.

Many media outlets declare that the country’s 13-year civil war is “over” – an error repeated even by some media outlets. The New York Times. Superficial knowledge of Syria
the story offers pause for reflection.

The rebels insist they have renounced jihadism and will hand power to technocrats. They have an opportunity to show that they will protect Syria’s delicate mix of religious groups. Yet some experts predict a period of chaos. The transition is unlikely to be smooth. Western governments remain haunted by their failures Iraqwhere they repeatedly botched their attempts to impose coalition governments.

Syria is a hub between Europe and the Middle East. While Moscow and Tehran are humiliated, Turkey and Israel are now carrying out military operations in Syria, exploiting the power vacuum to advance their own agenda. Israel wants to prevent Iran from rebuilding its supply lines to Hezbollah. Turkish President Erdogan is determined to push back Kurdish forces and send three million people home. Syrian refugees.

From the Kremlin to the Pentagon, no one knows how the dust will settle. But the balance of power in the Middle East risks shifting once again, in ways that were unimaginable just seven days ago.

@olyduff