Syria is in for a change after Assad's departure. What the media say
After the change of power in Syria, the country's prospects remain unclear. The vacuum created may be filled by extremist forces, which is of concern to the international community. Up to 1.5 million people are expected to flee the conflict zone. What the media think about the future of Syria and why they call its crisis favorable to Turkey - in the Izvestia digest.
The Washington Post: Biden is trying to stabilize the situation in Syria
The administration of US President Joe Biden is trying to stabilize the situation in Syria. US troops have struck camps and militants of the "Islamic State" (IS, a terrorist organization banned in Russia). Biden said the United States is working to ensure that extremist groups do not take advantage of the power vacuum in Syria.
The Washington Post
Biden said he has instructed his administration to work to keep Syria as stable as possible, as many players inside and outside the country seek to capitalize on the situation to seize power and advantages. With Israel seizing control of Syria's border areas and Turkish-backed forces clashing with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeast, the situation remains highly volatile.
The main fear is that the "Islamic State," which has long held parts of Syrian territory under tight control, could take advantage of the situation to reemerge as a major force in the country. With instability in Syria threatening a wide range of regional players, Biden administration officials have been actively engaging with countries that share borders with Syria.
The Wall Street Journal: the U.S. is trying to shape a post-Assad Syria
President Bashar al-Assad's resignation in Syria has transformed the country's future from a minor issue to an unexpectedly pressing problem not only for the outgoing Biden administration but also for the next one, which will be led by Donald Trump.
The Wall Street Journal
U.S. officials are trying to gauge the intentions of rebel groups that ousted Assad, especially Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (a terrorist organization banned in Russia), which is expected to play a key role in any government formed in Damascus but which is on the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations.
The US hopes that Syria will remain free of Iranian influence and not be used to supply arms to the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. This could lead to further radical changes in the Middle East. But another scenario is also possible: if Syria, or a large part of it, falls under the control of Islamist militants hostile to the West, or the state completely disintegrates, it could bring more turmoil to an already "inflamed" region.
The New York Times: rebels face serious problems in Syria
Fundamental questions about Syria's government, security and economy remain unanswered for now. Some analysts say it has become harder to predict what comes next, as the sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government took many people who have been following the region for years by surprise. For now, it remains unclear what the rebels' plans are for the near future.
The New York Times
It is also unclear how far and how quickly the rebel coalition will be able to extend its control across the country, a critical factor in restoring stability, and whether they will remain united at all after the Syrian leader leaves.
The new government will have to somehow balance the competing interests of the various forces holding territory in Syria. The situation is reminiscent of Iraq in 2003, when U.S. forces toppled Saddam Hussein. Initial optimism about the prospects for a peaceful democratic transition quickly faded, and growing instability and violence eventually led to a brutal civil war.
Reuters: up to 1.5 million people could flee escalation in Syria
Up to 1.5 million people could be forced to flee because of the ongoing fighting in Syria, which began with a rebel offensive on Damascus. This was stated by Samer Abdel Jaber, a senior UN official and director of the World Food Program for Emergency Coordination, Strategic Analysis and Humanitarian Diplomacy. So far 280,000 people have already been displaced.
Reuters
If the situation continues at (the same) pace, we expect a total of about 1.5 million people to be displaced and they will need our support," he added.
Humanitarian organizations say they have managed to raise less than a third of the reported $4 billion needed for their programs in 2024 before new fighting breaks out. The UN humanitarian office said it had to cut food rations in Syria by 80% due to the lack of funds.
Financial Times: Erdogan could be the winner in the Syrian crisis
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could end up being one of the biggest beneficiaries of Assad's departure. Many analysts are convinced that he will benefit politically and economically from his newfound position as the most powerful player in Syria. His ties to the groups that on Sunday realized Erdogan's long-held dream of conquering Damascus give him more leverage than any other foreign leader, even if the situation remains highly volatile and uncertain.
Financial Times
Erdogan has high hopes that the fall of Assad will allow the return of many of the estimated 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. Their continued presence is deeply unpopular even among his own supporters. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said last week, after the rebel takeover of Aleppo, that 1.3 million Syrians in Turkey hail from that city and that many "could not contain their excitement" about returning.
Turkey, already struggling with high inflation and recession, would benefit from a full resumption of business and trade ties along the 900-kilometer Syrian-Turkish border. Its construction sector could capitalize on reconstruction costs expected to run into the hundreds of billions of dollars. But peace and stability are far from guaranteed, and there is a risk that further conflict could drive new refugees to Turkey.
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