The dramatic sequence of events in Syria leading to the sudden collapse of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime has taken political analysts worldwide by surprise. The unexpected fall of Damascus is poised to reshape the geopolitical and socio-political landscape of the Middle East and beyond, with ripples already being felt and more likely to emerge in the coming months. Pakistan, while not geographically a part of the Middle East, may inevitably get affected by the developments unfolding in Syria.
In an effort to analyse the Syrian crisis comprehensively and anticipate its regional and global implications, the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) is organising a Roundtable Conference with three former Pakistani Ambassadors to the Syrian Arab Republic, who will share their unique perspectives on the current crisis and its broader impacts. Building on a prior in-house discussion that explored the historical context of Syria’s turmoil, this RTC will focus on forward-looking insights on the following questions:
- What were the immediate factors behind the unexpected success of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the collapse of the Syrian army?
- What are the political and military implications of these events for the Middle East?
- What are the potential future scenarios for Syria and the broader region?
- How might these developments impact Pakistan, and what lessons can be drawn?
- What should be the way forward for regional and international stakeholders?
