The Fall of Syria and Biden’s Impact on Global Power Dynamics
In a stunning turn of events, Syria, under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad, has faced a dramatic collapse following more than a decade of brutal civil war. President Joe Biden, in a statement from the White House, called the fall of Assad’s regime a “fundamental act of justice” but acknowledged the uncertainty it introduces into the Middle East’s already volatile landscape.
This shift marks a significant change in the region’s power dynamics, particularly in relation to Russia and its longtime ally, Assad. Biden credited the strategic actions of the United States and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers—Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah—leading to the current upheaval. The United States, which had long criticized Assad’s oppressive rule, played a key role in destabilizing the regime’s grip on power. For the first time in years, Russia could no longer provide the support Assad needed to maintain control.
Biden’s comments came just hours after rebel groups, led by the jihadist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, claimed victory in the Syrian civil war. The U.S. president, however, was cautious in his praise, acknowledging that these rebel groups had their own troubling track record, including ties to al-Qaida and documented human rights abuses. While the U.S. has labeled Hayat Tahrir al-Sham a terrorist organization, Biden indicated that U.S. forces would remain vigilant and continue to monitor the group’s actions as they take on greater responsibility.
The fall of Assad has been tied to larger global trends, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russia, under Vladimir Putin, had shifted much of its focus to the conflict in Ukraine, leaving its Middle Eastern interests, including Syria, vulnerable. As Putin’s attention remained fixed on Ukraine, Assad, once a close ally, found himself isolated, with the Kremlin reportedly less willing to protect his regime. Biden, along with his defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, has been praised for strategically positioning the U.S. to exploit this shift, weakening Russia’s influence in the region.
The U.S. presence in Syria remains, with approximately 900 American troops stationed in the northeast, working in collaboration with Kurdish allies to prevent the resurgence of ISIS. Biden has committed to keeping U.S. forces in place, underscoring their role in combating terrorism and ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS, which continues to pose a threat to regional stability.
In addition to weakening Assad’s regime, Biden’s administration has helped to push back against Iran’s influence in Syria, a critical player in supporting the regime. This multi-front effort by the U.S. has left Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, weakened and stretched thin, complicating their ability to maintain their foothold in the region.
The timing of this shift is particularly important as it comes at a moment when global hot spots, including the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the situation in Lebanon, are all reaching critical points. President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office in 2025, has already connected the events in Syria with Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, noting that Putin’s focus on Ukraine has led to a loss of interest in Syria.
The future of Syria remains uncertain, and with the Assad regime’s collapse, there are questions about who will fill the power vacuum. The U.S. is committed to ensuring that Syria’s minority communities are protected and that international norms are respected as the conflict progresses toward a potential political settlement.
While the collapse of Assad’s regime signals a blow to one of Putin’s key allies, it also raises concerns about the future stability of the Middle East and the role the U.S. will play in shaping that future. Biden’s actions, though not without controversy, have undeniably altered the balance of power in the region, weakening not just Assad, but also Russia and Iran, who may struggle to regain their former influence. As Biden’s tenure winds to an end, it will be crucial to watch how these shifting alliances and power structures unfold in the coming months.
