Part 1/9:
Rapid Collapse of the Syrian Regime: Analyzing the Speed and Causes
Last weekend marked a significant turning point in the ongoing Syrian conflict as rebel forces made a stunningly rapid advance into key regime-held areas. Observers and analysts reflected on the speed of this collapse, comparing it to other recent military failures such as the sudden fall of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. The question on everyone’s mind: How could a regime that once battled insurgents into submission as recently as 2015–2016, with substantial Russian assistance, disintegrate so quickly?