A stunning offensive by Syrian rebels ended the decades-long rule of Bashar al-Assad: opposition forces took the capital and forced the president to flee on December 8.
The overthrow followed a 13-year civil war that began after Assad cracked down on pro-democracy protests, killing more than half a million people and displacing millions, and drawing in international powers and their proxies.
Now the world is watching how the political landscape of Syria is being shaped after the overthrow of half a century of rule of the Assad family.
Those with a personal interest in the conflict and the future of the country include, on the one hand, Russia and Iran, who supported Assad, and on the other, the US and Turkey, who supported various rebel groups.
Here we explore how these countries, along with Israel, have played a role in Syria – and could continue to do so.
