The long-standing rule of Bashar al-Assad, which has endured through 13 years of civil war in Syria, has come to a dramatic end as rebels successfully seized control of Damascus. Following his defeat, Assad fled to Moscow, where he was granted asylum, prompting celebrations among Syrians who expressed disbelief and jubilation at the fall of the Assad dynasty. This seismic shift in power is anticipated to usher in a new chapter for Syria and the Middle East, although experts caution that the country now faces significant risks of violence and instability from out-of-control militias. With state institutions expected to be preserved during a forthcoming 18-month transition, the international community watches closely as the future of Syria hangs in the balance.