In an interview, Sir John Sawers reflects on the sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, which lasted over 50 years. He emphasizes the importance of a peaceful power transition and the role of Turkey in unifying the opposition. While expressing surprise at the rapid breakdown of Assad’s forces, he acknowledges the potential risks of a power takeover by the al-Qaeda-linked group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Sawers highlights the geopolitical implications, including the interests of Turkey, Russia, and Iran, in the evolving situation in Syria.