Assad’s downfall is bad news for Iran
The collapse of the Syrian dictator’s regime will weaken Tehran in profound ways both economically and geopolitically
The rapid collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has triggered profound shifts in the Middle East, rapidly reshaping the region’s geopolitical dynamics. This change can be attributed to the growing discord between Iran and Russia, coupled with Turkey's opportunistic approach towards the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Iran's strategic plans, including the use of Syria as a transit hub for its proxies and a route to the Mediterranean, are now in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Turkey has seized the opportunity to enhance its regional influence. This evolving situation is expected to shift the power balance in West Asia, leaving Iran in a weakened position as it becomes more dependent on China and
Also in this section
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
9 March 2026
Energy sanctions are becoming an increasingly prominent tool of US foreign policy, with the country’s growth in oil and gas production allowing it to impose pressure on rivals without jeopardising its own energy security or that of its allies, argues Matthew McManus, a visiting fellow at the National Center for Energy Analytics
6 March 2026
The March 2026 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
6 March 2026
After Europe’s rapid buildout of floating LNG import capacity, Exmar CEO Carl-Antoine Saverys says future growth in floating gas infrastructure will increasingly be driven by developing markets as lower prices, rising energy demand and the need to replace coal unlock new opportunities for unconventional and tailor-made solutions






