President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had long worked with the rebels who overtook Damascus. His influence over Syria is now likely to grow.

Turkey feels its longstanding support of the Syrian opposition has now been vindicated. But its increased influence in Damascus also comes with significant responsibilities.

Both Iran and Assad’s other enabler, Russia, are stewing in humiliation as the dramatic changing of the guard in Damascus unfolds. But Khamenei left out another country in his tirade that’s arguably benefited far more from Assad’s fall.

Assad fled to Moscow as opposition forces advance towards Damascus. Sources say Russian intelligence agents organized the escape, flying Assad out of a base in Syria before the aircraft's transponder was turned off to avoid being tracked.