The transfer marks the end of an era when Russia played an arguably oversized role in determining which countries could operate in Syria’s contested airspace.

Two African states are frustrating Moscow's efforts to establish a stronger military presence in the continent following the fall of Assad.

A cargo vessel, Sparta, sent by Russia to evacuate its military equipment and weaponry from Syria, has broken down on the way and the Russian crew is adrift in the open waters near Portugal. Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) Quote: "The cargo vessel Sparta,

The loss of its military power in Syria has led Russia to turn its sights on Libya. Could the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria see the strengthening of his Libyan counterpart, Khalifa Haftar? The reports began trickling in barely 24 hours after Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad was ousted.

In fact, the scale of the challenge facing Syria is greater than that which confronted Libya in 2011. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown after less than a year of conflict that cost thousands of lives. But on his death, much of the country’s infrastructure remained intact. Libyan rebels had exported oil even before his overthrow.

Russia has begun withdrawing a large amount of military equipment and troops from Syria following the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, according to two US officials and a western official familiar with the intelligence.

The country is deeply divided along religious and ethnic lines, which makes continuing violence one likely scenario.

Even with hopes running high, so much can go wrong when a country ousts a longtime dictator and tries to start anew.

History tells us that where a fragmented coalition of armed groups finds itself in a political vacuum, more violence is probably on the horizon.

This article examines the implications of Turkey's rise as the dominant foreign power in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, focusing on the regional rivalry with Iran and the uncertain future of the Kurds.

Even with hopes running high, so much can go wrong when a country ousts a longtime dictator and tries to start anew