Gulf powers bet big on Syria’s rebirth

A view of the devastated neighbourhood of Ein Tarma on the outskirts of Damascus. The fall of Assad has opened a window for wealthy Gulf countries to expand their influence in Syria as the sway of Iran diminishes. — Diego Ibarra Sanchez/The New York Times

THE Gulf states have moved quickly to aid and invest in Syria after the sudden collapse of the country’s dictatorship, sensing a new opportunity to expand their influen­ce in the Middle East.

The ousted president of Syria, Bashar Assad, was long under the sway of Iran, the Gulf’s traditional regional rival.