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Former CENTCOM Chief Warns Syria’s Collapse May Bring New Dangers

Assad’s downfall leaves Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah scrambling, but stability remains uncertain.

The swift and shocking collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime has left Syria in turmoil, raising questions about what comes next for the war-torn nation. While some have celebrated the removal of the Syrian dictator, retired General Frank McKenzie, former CENTCOM commander, warned that this dramatic shift might not ultimately benefit the Syrian people.

Speaking with ABC News’ Martha Raddatz on This Week, McKenzie described the collapse as “bad news for a lot of people” and said it was “less clear who the good news is going to be for.”

The collapse of Assad’s regime marks a significant blow to his staunch allies: Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. McKenzie explained that Assad’s removal leaves these powers without a reliable partner in Syria.

“For all three of these entities, this is bad news because now they had a partner not necessarily a good and capable partner, but a partner and he is gone,” McKenzie said. The power vacuum left behind will force these adversaries to reevaluate their strategies in the region.

Despite the weakening of U.S. adversaries, McKenzie cautioned that the chaos in Syria could pave the way for even greater dangers. “I’m not sure it’s ultimately going to be good news for the people of Syria,” he remarked, citing the potential rise of an Islamic State-like group that could destabilize the region further.

The leader of one of these emerging terrorist factions already has a $10 million bounty on his head from the U.S. government. McKenzie warned that while such figures may lack groundbreaking ideas, their capacity for violence could have “profound negative implications” across the Middle East.

On a more optimistic note, McKenzie expressed confidence in U.S.-backed Kurdish forces east of the Euphrates River. Describing them as “one of the best equipped, best trained, and most capable forces in all of Syria,” he assured that they are prepared to defend themselves amid the chaos.

The future of Syria remains uncertain, with McKenzie predicting the next few days will reveal more about the region’s trajectory. “In the next 48, 72, 96 hours, this will begin to become clearer to us,” he said. As terrorist factions seize control and foreign powers reevaluate their roles, the Middle East braces for what could be another volatile chapter.

For now, the removal of Assad may have delivered a blow to hostile powers like Russia and Iran, but it also underscores the fragile state of the region. Without clear leadership or stability, Syria risks plunging further into disorder, a development that will have far-reaching consequences.

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