The Impact of the Fall of the Assad Regime on Regional and Global Geopolitics

The book in your hands examines the processes surrounding the revolution that took place on 8 December 2024 and brought an end to the 14-year civil war in Syria. As is well known, the Syrian geopolitical landscape, which began in March 2011 when Bashar al-Assad responded to unarmed protesters with force and subsequently intensified with the involvement of states such as Russia and Iran, has created serious national security challenges for Türkiye. Indeed, large parts of northern and eastern Syria were effectively left under the control of elements affiliated with the PKK, the Syrian extension of which operates in the region, while approximately one-third of the country was pushed beyond the control of the central government. However, the process that unfolded on 8 December ushered in a new period that could satisfy Türkiye while enabling Ahmed al-Sharaa to restore Syria’s sovereignty based on its territorial integrity. This study comprehensively examines the historical background preceding the revolution; the political and social devastation caused by the Ba’ath regime and the Assad dynasty; the 13-year civil war; and, following the revolution, Syria’s efforts toward state-building, nation-building, the pursuit of legitimacy, and integration into the international community. Given its close connection to the current geopolitical context, this work can be regarded as one of the first academic studies written on the subject.