Bashar Assad in Moscow: a year of silence, a year of rumors, and attempts to maintain influence

By the end of the year, after Bashar Assad’s move to Russia, new noise arises around his life in Moscow. Not statements from press services and not official reports — but rumors. Some say he has almost disappeared, others insist that he has plenty to do and has not gone into the shadows as much as it seems from the outside.

Sources close to the man, accustomed to holding power firmly and without pauses, talk about his secluded routine in the suburbs of Moscow. But not everyone calls it isolation. Assad, despite pauses in politics, continues to maintain connections he has become accustomed to over decades of the Syrian war and diplomatic pressure. These contacts are a kind of survival tool.

At the same time, information emerges about his involvement in various economic schemes — projects that, according to interlocutors, should strengthen the positions of Syrian structures in foreign markets. It is clear that such actions irritate the Syrian opposition, which has been expecting a different scenario for years. And every new hint of Assad’s activity in Moscow only increases the tension.

However, there is one additional line in this plot — his brother. Talks about his possible return to Syria raise the level of discussions. In Damascus, this is perceived as a potential sign of change, even if the changes themselves are not yet formalized. The Syrian conflict does not offer simple solutions, and any movement within the Assad family is perceived as a signal, albeit an unclear one.

Meanwhile, the country is awaiting elections. And those close to the president’s circle claim that he is exploring options for participation without leaving his Moscow refuge. Formally, he is distanced from the internal process, but the interest in the political game has not disappeared. Observers believe that even if he tries to return to the scene, the situation in Syria is too unstable to speak of predictable chances.

Russia remains his key resource. But how strong this support is — no one articulates openly. Assad is seen as a figure dependent on circumstances, rather than defining them, which changes the balance of power he is used to. Reports of his meetings with Russian officials create new waves of speculation, although no one sees the real picture.

Currently, attention is focused on the question: what future can a person build who spends a year in political silence but still tries to influence processes at home. Syria remains unpredictable, and every new mention of Bashar Assad triggers a new chain of interpretations. Observers cautiously note that in the coming months, statements are possible that will change the picture, and it is precisely these that the international community is waiting for — the editorial team of NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency is closely monitoring the development of the situation.