Syria's Kurds will be in a precarious position

Significance The SDF are apparently also facing limited, but seemingly increasing, localised opposition to their presence in Deir ez-Zour and Raqqa provinces. Meanwhile, the United States continues to coordinate closely with the SDF to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State (IS) in Syria after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Impacts Assad's fall will strengthen Turkey's hand in Syria, and Ankara will push rebels to adopt a firm stance against Kurdish autonomy. Russia will likely open dialogue with the new government in Damascus to secure its assets in Syria. Regional countries could court the new government in Damascus, with an eye to reconstruction and rebuilding contracts. Concerns over IS activity in Syria will stall a possible decision to withdraw US forces from Syria under President-elect Donald Trump.