Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa speaks during the inaugural session of Syria's newly formed People's Assembly, the first parliament session since the end of the rule of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, July 12, 2026. (Credit: Khalil Ashawi/Reuters)
Hossam Jazmati is a Syrian researcher and specialist in Islamist and jihadist movements in Syria.When news first leaked suggesting that the commander of the “Deterring Aggression” operation, whom the military factions had pledged allegiance to as president of the transitional phase during the “Victory Conference,” had considered transforming Syria from a republic into a monarchy, it was dismissed as an obsessive fear imagined by his fiercest critics. However, the reports were soon corroborated by multiple sources. They even added that Ahmad al-Sharaa had sounded out the opinions of foreign officials and advisers from countries backing him, only to be warned against such a drastic systemic shift for fear of triggering a profound internal shock.The Idlib experienceAt first glance, the impulse could easily be chalked up to a sense of...
Hossam Jazmati is a Syrian researcher and specialist in Islamist and jihadist movements in Syria.When news first leaked suggesting that the commander of the “Deterring Aggression” operation, whom the military factions had pledged allegiance to as president of the transitional phase during the “Victory Conference,” had considered transforming Syria from a republic into a monarchy, it was dismissed as an obsessive fear imagined by his fiercest critics. However, the reports were soon corroborated by multiple sources. They even added that Ahmad al-Sharaa had sounded out the opinions of foreign officials and advisers from countries backing him, only to be warned against such a drastic systemic shift for fear of triggering a profound internal shock.The Idlib experienceAt first glance, the impulse could easily be chalked up to a sense...
