Thirteen years after the start of the Syrian uprising, the swift and dramatic fall of Bashar al-Assad shattered the perception of a stable, albeit repressive, status quo. For much of the past decade, Assad’s regime, bolstered by unwavering support from Iran and Russia, brutally suppressed dissent. What began as an uprising in 2011 evolved into a devastating civil war that eventually settled into an uneasy stalemate. Despite persistent challenges, Assad’s grip on power appeared secure. Yet his