How Gulf States Ended Iran’s Grip on Syria

The sudden collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the ensuing loss of Iran’s influence over Syria has triggered a new wave of instability in the Middle East. In response, the Gulf states have found themselves at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical contest, racing to fill the power vacuum left by Assad's fall. With Syria splintered into competing factions and rival powers like Turkey and Iran vying for control, the Gulf nations have taken swift and calculated actions to reshape the region’s balance of power. Their primary objective is clear: dismantle Iran’s strategic foothold in Syria and curb Tehran’s ability to project power across the region. However, the road to achieving this goal has proven far from straightforward, with shifting alliances, internal divisions, and external pressures complicating the Gulf states' efforts to assert their influence and stabilize the region.