In every crisis lies an opportunity, and within every opportunity, a crisis. This is what recent events in Syria have unveiled.

• Complex Situation and Declaration of War: Escalating Crisis Between Arab Tribes and Syrian Democratic Forces

• Russian Women Sending Their Husbands to Fight in Ukraine: What’s the Secret?

Nick Paton Walsh, international affairs correspondent for CNN, believes that the stunning advance of the Syrian armed opposition, culminating in the capture of Damascus within a week, is an unintended consequence of two other wars — one near and the other far. He notes that this development leaves the United States’ key allies facing a new and unknown power that now controls large, possibly the majority, portions of their strategic neighbor, given the rapid pace of events.

Walsh attributes the Syrian regime’s swift collapse to what unfolded in southern Beirut and Donetsk, Ukraine. The two-month-long war waged by Israel against Hezbollah likely had little concern for Assad’s fate but might have inadvertently contributed to his downfall.

• Zelensky: The War in Ukraine Will End on This Date

• Suffering of Returning Southerners… Lebanon’s Homes Destroyed Due to Bombings

Similarly, the Russian war in Ukraine, launched 34 months ago, did not account for the limited aircraft and troops that Russia could leave available to support its allies in the Middle East. This war rendered Russia “unable” to assist Assad, a point emphasized yesterday, Saturday, by President-elect Donald Trump.

CNN also touched on Turkey’s role, pointing out that Ankara was forced to play a long-term game regarding Syria. Since 2012, Turkey has hosted more than 3 million refugees while witnessing Kurdish forces — known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), trained, equipped, and supported by the U.S. in their fight against ISIS — establish a foothold along its border.

• Secret Clauses in Ceasefire Agreement Restrict Iran’s Actions in Lebanon

• Ending the Lebanon War: A “Green Light” Awaits a “Settlement” from Both Sides of the Conflict

Future Scenarios

Russia is expected to focus on its war in Ukraine, while Iran may prepare for a potential escalation under the incoming U.S. President Donald Trump.

“This radical shift might be what Syria needs to achieve stability, but it is also a reminder of how difficult it is to establish peace after years of suffering and destruction,” concludes CNN.

• Israel plans to expand its ground operations in southern Lebanon

• Israeli Airstrikes Do Not Exempt Sunni Towns in Lebanon