Putin faces major setback in Syria as Assad flees to Moscow

Vladimir Putin faces a significant setback in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Assad has fled to Moscow, where he and his family have been granted asylum. This marks a dramatic shift in Russia's influence in the region. The collapse of Assad's rule threatens Russia's military presence in Syria, particularly its naval base at Tartus and air base at Latakia. Experts warn that these losses could diminish Russia's power projection in the Mediterranean and beyond. As the Assad family adjusts to life in exile, their future remains uncertain. They join other ousted leaders in Moscow, where they may find a community of former rulers seeking refuge.