Yaroslav Trofimov

So basically, Assad's biggest international backers, Iran and Russia, are distracted. They have wars that they have to deal with elsewhere.

So basically, Assad's biggest international backers, Iran and Russia, are distracted. They have wars that they have to deal with elsewhere.

So how did Jolani and the rebels take advantage of that?

So how did Jolani and the rebels take advantage of that?

So how did Jolani and the rebels take advantage of that?

In a matter of days, the rebels took Aleppo. Then they turned south, taking more territory, the city of Hama, then Homs. And finally, they marched on the capital, Damascus.

In a matter of days, the rebels took Aleppo. Then they turned south, taking more territory, the city of Hama, then Homs. And finally, they marched on the capital, Damascus.

In a matter of days, the rebels took Aleppo. Then they turned south, taking more territory, the city of Hama, then Homs. And finally, they marched on the capital, Damascus.

Wow. Why didn't Assad have the military might to hold off the rebels on his own? I mean, he'd been in power for so long.

Wow. Why didn't Assad have the military might to hold off the rebels on his own? I mean, he'd been in power for so long.

Wow. Why didn't Assad have the military might to hold off the rebels on his own? I mean, he'd been in power for so long.

Right, right.

Right, right.

Right, right.

Even as it became clear that his forces were getting hollowed out, Assad stood firm. He announced he would give an address to the nation on Saturday. But it never happened.

Even as it became clear that his forces were getting hollowed out, Assad stood firm. He announced he would give an address to the nation on Saturday. But it never happened.

Even as it became clear that his forces were getting hollowed out, Assad stood firm. He announced he would give an address to the nation on Saturday. But it never happened.

And now, Assad's fall has created a new power dynamic in the Middle East, with winners and losers. That's next.

And now, Assad's fall has created a new power dynamic in the Middle East, with winners and losers. That's next.

And now, Assad's fall has created a new power dynamic in the Middle East, with winners and losers. That's next.