The Syrian Collapse: Oil, Power, and a Changing Middle East

"This is a memo saying that we are going to take out 7 countries in 5 years, starting with Iraq, and then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and, finishing off, Iran." General Wesley Clark

Syrian rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized Damascus on Sunday, ending 50 years of Assad family rule. The rapid advance encountered minimal resistance from the Syrian army. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was looted, suggesting an early withdrawal by its staff.

Why it matters:
Syria’s collapse destabilizes a critical region, disrupting Iran’s s…