The Middle East, Turkish-Style: How Ankara Exploits Post-Assad Syria

Amid the radical transformation of Syria’s political landscape following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and the weakening of former centers of influence, Turkiye has found itself in a uniquely advantageous position to strengthen its regional standing and pursue long-held foreign policy objectives in the Middle East. This article analyzes the evolution of Turkiye’s post-Assad strategy and outlines the key vectors of Turkish foreign policy - ranging from military interventions and humanitarian engagement to diplomatic maneuvering and ideological influence. Special attention is paid to how Ankara seeks to consolidate its presence in Syria and integrate the new circumstances into its broader regional strategy. Through comprehensive analysis, the article explores both the tangible and potential gains for Turkiye, Ankara’s positioning in the Sunni world, its competition with other centers of power, and the risks it faces in the process of shaping a new Middle Eastern architecture.