Nournews: So far, analyses related to Syria's development have been primarily focused on the political and security goals of influential players such as Russia, Iran, the United States, and Turkey. However, the geopolitical and geoeconomic dimensions of these developments warrant consideration. Syria, despite having limited energy reserves, can play a pivotal role due to its strategic position in energy transit and regional economic equations. The strategic position of the country has caused the energy corridors to be at the center of attention as a key factor in the behavior of regional and international players.

Turkey and ambitious goals in the field of energy
Over the past years, Turkey has tried to become a regional hub of energy. In Nov. 2024, the country hosted an important meeting in Istanbul, in which ministers of gas-producing countries such as Azerbaijan and Libya and representatives of transit countries such as Georgia participated alongside consumers from Eastern Europe.
The main goal of Ankara in holding this event is advancing its position as a primary transit point between the producers of eastern and southern gas and European markets. The strong infrastructure of Turkey, including the Trans-Anatolia pipeline, seven gas pipelines, LNG terminals, facilities for underground storage, and capacity for surplus import, has made the country ready for the realization of this goal.

Syria, the main knot of the energy corridor
Syria, as the western neighbor of Turkey, can be a strategic route for energy transfer to the Mediterranean area and then to Europe due to its geographical position. However, the alliance of Damascus with Moscow and political disparities with Ankara had made the implementation of such projects impossible so far.
Now, with the control of northern Syria by forces such as Ha’yat al-Tahrir al-Sham that are supported by Turkey, new opportunities have been created for Turkey. These changes have brought projects such as the Qatar-Turkey pipeline, which transfers Qatar's gas to Syria and then to Turkey and Europe, closer to realization.

A replacement for failed projects
The project of the EastMed gas pipeline, which transfers Israeli gas to Europe through Cyprus and Greece, was halted due to the withdrawal of the US from its support in 2022. In contrast, the creation of a land route from Syria to Turkey, as a cheaper and more practical option, has been presented. The establishment of stability in Syria can help revive the Qatar-Turkey project—a project that had been halted previously because of Damascus's concerns about the negative effects of it on the export of Russian gas to Europe.

Geoeconomic consequences for Syria and Russia
The revival of the Qatar-Turkey pipeline can have important economic consequences for Syria. Revenues from gas transit, the development of energy infrastructure, and job creation are some of the advantages of the project. However, the project can be a serious threat to the status of Russian gas in the European market and can cause Russia to become dependent on using Turkey's infrastructure.

Turkey's outlook in the region
Turkey is seeking to consolidate its position as a key player in the global energy market by utilizing its strategic position and influencing Syria.
The country is striving to achieve its dream of becoming the main hub of the region's energy through combining energy diplomacy and supporting political and military groups in Syria. The new conditions in Syria and the establishment of an administration that is supported by Turkey, along with the failure of replacement projects such as EastMed, have provided opportunities for Ankara to realize its ambitions in the field of geopolitics and geoeconomics through reviving energy corridors.