The fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has dealt a significant blow to Russia’s ambitions in the Middle East. Yet Russia still retains influence across the region through trade, diplomacy, and military ties. Even now, Moscow maintains a presence in Syria, making it imperative for the West to capitalize on Russia’s setback there and work to reduce its influence across the region. One way to achieve this is by supporting Ukraine’s efforts to build stronger ties in the Middle East. First, Ukr