Syrians woke up to a hopeful but uncertain future as rebels seized the capital Damascus and President Bashar Assad fled to Russia, marking a significant turning point for the Middle East. The lightning advance of a militia alliance led by Hayat Al-Tahrir Al-Sham wiped out a bastion of influence for Iran and Russia. The international community welcomed the end of Assad's autocratic government, but the rebels now face the monumental task of rebuilding a war-torn country. The overthrow of Assad limits Iran's ability to spread weapons and could cost Russia its Mediterranean naval base.