Türkiye’s Post-Assad Strategy: An Analysis of its Evolving Geopolitical Posture in Syria
Rayees Yousuf Mir1, Mohammad Shahnawaz2
1Rayees Yousuf Mir, Researcher, Department of Mmaj Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
2Mohammad Shahnawaz, Pursuing PhD, Centre for West Asian Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
Manuscript received on 20 May 2026 | First Revised Manuscript received on 27 May 2026 | Second Revised Manuscript received on 04 June 2026 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 June 2026 | Manuscript published on 30 June 2026 | PP: 20-27 | Volume-5 Issue-4, June 2026 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijssl.D124105040626 | DOI: 10.54105/ijssl.D1241.05040626
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© The Authors. Published by Lattice Science Publication (LSP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024 is widely viewed as a crucial turning point in the Syrian conflict. The fall opened a new period of political alignments and regional contestation. In this context, Türkiye has been seen as one of the most crucial external players shaping Syria. This article examines Türkiye’s strategy in post-Assad Syria by analysing the evolution of its geopolitical posture. The article argues that Türkiye has transitioned towards a dual strategy that combines security engagement with political, economic, and institutional mechanisms oriented towards shaping and defining Syria’s postconflict order. Drawing on regional power theory, the article analyses three key dimensions of Türkiye’s evolving posture: security and territorial influence, political and institutional engagement, and economic and reconstruction leverage. The article contends that Türkiye’s approach reflects a pragmatic recalibration rather than a withdrawal, positioning Ankara as the most important actor in determining Syria’s governance and regional alignment in the near future. By moving beyond an intervention-centric analysis, this study contributes to the emerging literature on post-Assad Syria. It offers insights into the changing nature of the influence of the regional powers in the Middle East.
Keywords: Regional Power, Arab Spring, SDF, Regional Leadership, Türkiye–Syria Relations, Turkish Foreign Policy, Great Powers.
Scope of the Article: Political Science