The 14th installment of the Foreign Policy Talks, a series of closed roundtable meetings organized by IstanPol to bring together experts, researchers, academics, and journalists to discuss current foreign policy issues, was held online on December 18, 2024.

The fall of the Assad regime, after 54 years of his family’s rule and the eruption of the Syrian civil war in 2011, marks a watershed moment in recent Middle Eastern history. This significant development has triggered a profound geopolitical shift, while long – term consequences that are still unfolding and have the potential to reshape the region’s balance of power for decades to come. As Russia increasingly shifts its focus on Ukraine, Iran faces growing internal and external challenges, and Hezbollah struggles under the impact of Israeli strikes, Türkiye is emerging as a key player in shaping Syria’s future governance. The evolving role of rebel forces, the influence of external powers, and the broader regional and international ramifications of these shifts will remain critical in determining the future trajectory of Syria and the Middle East.

Under the moderation of Seren Selvin Korkmaz, Co-Founder and Co–Director at IstanPol, the session explored these questions with the participation of distinguished speakers:

• Vali Nasr, Majid Khadduri Professor, Johns Hopkins SAIS
• Paul Salem, Vice President for International Engagement, Middle East Institute
• Ragıp Soylu, Journalist, Middle East Eye
• Arzu Yılmaz, University of Kurdistan Hewlêr in Erbil