Escalation of Conflict in the Middle East

Recent events in Syria highlight a potential coup attempt that threatens the Assad regime, fueled by the advance of the anti-Assad group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This group's movements, including capturing Aleppo, coincide with ongoing conflicts in Lebanon and potential ramifications for the broader Middle Eastern landscape. The interplay of weakened support for the Assad government from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah has created a vacuum that HTS is exploiting, reminiscent of historical precedents such as the rise of Al-Qaeda post-Iraq invasion. Observers speculate that this escalation could symbolize the emergence of a new wave of extremist groups, potentially termed ISIS 3.0.