A vehicle pulls the head of the toppled statue of former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad through the streets of the central city of Hama on Dec. 6, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Haj Kadour/AFP)
The euphoria over the fall of the Assad regime, marked by 53 years of bloodshed and corruption, has been swiftly replaced by a host of questions and concerns about Syria's future.How can a fragmented country be governed? How can relations be normalized between various groups — not only Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), but also Kurdish forces and remnants of the pro-Assad military structure? Most critically, how can the pursuit of each group’s goals avoid dragging the country back into war? Read also Syria: The stakes of a dramatic acceleration of history Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, which dominates the opposition, has shown openness toward various communities and governance, indicating a willingness to share power and rely on institutions.The organization, labeled as jihadist, is now seeking international legitimacy. But to...
The euphoria over the fall of the Assad regime, marked by 53 years of bloodshed and corruption, has been swiftly replaced by a host of questions and concerns about Syria's future.How can a fragmented country be governed? How can relations be normalized between various groups — not only Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), but also Kurdish forces and remnants of the pro-Assad military structure? Most critically, how can the pursuit of each group’s goals avoid dragging the country back into war? Read also Syria: The stakes of a dramatic acceleration of history Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, which dominates the opposition, has shown openness toward various communities and governance, indicating a willingness to share power and rely on institutions.The organization, labeled as jihadist, is now seeking international legitimacy....