Syrian Scenarios: What may lie ahead for Arab heartland nation, West Asia, world

The quick fall and flight of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has evoked triumph in certain quarters and disquiet in others, as it seems to have upended the political situation and strategic calculus of the Middle East.

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However, a look at the record of the key Arab country and others may suggest the last word on what follows remains to be said.

Both Israel and the US have rushed to take claim for the overthrow of the over six-decade rule of the Ba'ath Party, Turkey is quietly exulting, and the end of the Russian and Iranian influence in the Arab heartland state is being celebrated.