But while outside players are competing with each other for influence over Syria, events are unfolding inside the country that are no less important, and maybe even more important, for the future of the entire region.
The transitional government sharply raised gasoline and diesel prices. Economically, the decision makes sense. Politically, it is terrible. Large-scale protests have begun.
But while Assad would have simply shot everyone, al-Sharaa is acting strictly in line with the democratic path he has chosen — there are parliamentary hearings, discussions and negotiations with protesters, and police on the streets are maintaining order without using excessive force.
The new government is learning and developing its skills. If it manages to earn trust during this difficult period, that will become the strongest guarantee of the country’s successful development.
And then mutually beneficial cooperation with Turkey, Israel, and other countries in the region will become possible.
Thank you @Helen Brooks! And absolutely, I agree: what’s unfolding domestically is no less important. Indeed, al-Sharaa’s interim presidency has shown promise, particularly in Syria’s diplomatic reintegration. At the same time, sectarian violence is a serious problem, while minority inclusion and political representation are still contested. So, let’s hope his learning curve remains as steep as you rightly point out!
Helen .. Killing and kidnapping are still ongoing in Syria without accountability. After the massacres, no trial or real accountability has taken place for the perpetrators who documented their own crimes! And are we really thinking rationally, humanely, and with openness when we give a chance to the killer to correct his mistake and place him in a position of power? Or is all that is happening the biggest proof of the corruption and failure of politics, the hypocrisy of diplomacy, and the cheapness of our lives here in Syria and the Middle East, to the point where lies are crafted without a shred of effort, and force is now being used with an extremism that rivals the extremism of the Middle Ages
You are absolutely right. Al-Sharaa and his mercenaries include former terrorists and people accused of war crimes whom the international community has decided to negotiate with. Does that mean this is good? No. Is there another way? I don’t know.
I do know that breaking the cycle of violence that ruled Syria for decades is an almost impossible task. Should we try to do it? Absolutely.
History has many examples of people having to negotiate with criminals. Or, as it is politically correct to say, former criminals. But the stories of how their victims lived through this are not as well known.
And I don’t know what to do with that, and I cannot give advice.
No need to apologize, Helen. Quite the contrary, thank you! I feel reassured after your kind clarification regarding your view on the Syrian reality, and I completely agree with your point of view. It is as close to reality and humanity as possible amidst this madness and brutality
Strong piece, and it lines up with something I keep coming back to in my own writing on this region: neither Ankara nor Tel Aviv is actually operating with a free hand here, no matter how loud the rivalry gets. Turkey's own defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is a good example, it reads as regional assertiveness on the surface, but every member still depends on American platforms, intelligence, or security guarantees underneath it. Syria looks like the same pattern: both sides maneuvering hard for position, but the ceiling on what either can actually do without Washington's sign-off hasn't moved. Worth reading if that overlap interests you: https://ozymandiasdesk.substack.com/
Thank you so much Ozymandias - indeed when it comes to seemingly autonomous decision-making by these actors the glass ceiling remains, even as the US has been retracting increasingly from the region. & thank you for the recommendation, will definitely read it!
Thanks for taking a look at my work as well - greatly appreciated. Indeed it is an intriguing evolution of events. The ceiling imposed by Washington is eroding more and more.
It is truly wonderful to finally find media interested in Syrian affairs. The media blackout targeting this region is disgraceful and a stain on the face of humanity. I am Zayn, an artist and pharmacist from the Syrian coast . I was deeply pleased to read your article, which attempts to explain the complexity of the Syrian reality and the question marks surrounding matters that should never be questioned, such as sovereignty, decision-making, and safety and security
Thank you so much Zayn! I’m am very pleased to hear you enjoyed the piece - and indeed let’s work hard to keep the focus on states that have been neglected for too long in public discourse
The real thanks is for your noble and humanitarian endeavor. I am very happy to read and interact with your articles, and it would be a great honor to be a part of it and share this endeavor with you, if you would like more direct readings from the Syrian reality ( Even though you same very related )
Brilliant analysis. Calling it a 'Cold War' misses the nuance: this is really a high-stakes competition for strategic primacy under the US security umbrella. Al-Sharaa using Israeli security interests to prevent Syria from becoming a total Turkish client state is a fascinating display of pragmatic survival in a post-Assad Levant.
Excellent analysis.
But while outside players are competing with each other for influence over Syria, events are unfolding inside the country that are no less important, and maybe even more important, for the future of the entire region.
The transitional government sharply raised gasoline and diesel prices. Economically, the decision makes sense. Politically, it is terrible. Large-scale protests have begun.
But while Assad would have simply shot everyone, al-Sharaa is acting strictly in line with the democratic path he has chosen — there are parliamentary hearings, discussions and negotiations with protesters, and police on the streets are maintaining order without using excessive force.
The new government is learning and developing its skills. If it manages to earn trust during this difficult period, that will become the strongest guarantee of the country’s successful development.
And then mutually beneficial cooperation with Turkey, Israel, and other countries in the region will become possible.
Although right now that sounds like fantasy.
Thank you @Helen Brooks! And absolutely, I agree: what’s unfolding domestically is no less important. Indeed, al-Sharaa’s interim presidency has shown promise, particularly in Syria’s diplomatic reintegration. At the same time, sectarian violence is a serious problem, while minority inclusion and political representation are still contested. So, let’s hope his learning curve remains as steep as you rightly point out!
Helen .. Killing and kidnapping are still ongoing in Syria without accountability. After the massacres, no trial or real accountability has taken place for the perpetrators who documented their own crimes! And are we really thinking rationally, humanely, and with openness when we give a chance to the killer to correct his mistake and place him in a position of power? Or is all that is happening the biggest proof of the corruption and failure of politics, the hypocrisy of diplomacy, and the cheapness of our lives here in Syria and the Middle East, to the point where lies are crafted without a shred of effort, and force is now being used with an extremism that rivals the extremism of the Middle Ages
You are absolutely right. Al-Sharaa and his mercenaries include former terrorists and people accused of war crimes whom the international community has decided to negotiate with. Does that mean this is good? No. Is there another way? I don’t know.
I do know that breaking the cycle of violence that ruled Syria for decades is an almost impossible task. Should we try to do it? Absolutely.
History has many examples of people having to negotiate with criminals. Or, as it is politically correct to say, former criminals. But the stories of how their victims lived through this are not as well known.
And I don’t know what to do with that, and I cannot give advice.
I am very sorry.
No need to apologize, Helen. Quite the contrary, thank you! I feel reassured after your kind clarification regarding your view on the Syrian reality, and I completely agree with your point of view. It is as close to reality and humanity as possible amidst this madness and brutality
Strong piece, and it lines up with something I keep coming back to in my own writing on this region: neither Ankara nor Tel Aviv is actually operating with a free hand here, no matter how loud the rivalry gets. Turkey's own defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is a good example, it reads as regional assertiveness on the surface, but every member still depends on American platforms, intelligence, or security guarantees underneath it. Syria looks like the same pattern: both sides maneuvering hard for position, but the ceiling on what either can actually do without Washington's sign-off hasn't moved. Worth reading if that overlap interests you: https://ozymandiasdesk.substack.com/
Thank you so much Ozymandias - indeed when it comes to seemingly autonomous decision-making by these actors the glass ceiling remains, even as the US has been retracting increasingly from the region. & thank you for the recommendation, will definitely read it!
Thanks for taking a look at my work as well - greatly appreciated. Indeed it is an intriguing evolution of events. The ceiling imposed by Washington is eroding more and more.
It is truly wonderful to finally find media interested in Syrian affairs. The media blackout targeting this region is disgraceful and a stain on the face of humanity. I am Zayn, an artist and pharmacist from the Syrian coast . I was deeply pleased to read your article, which attempts to explain the complexity of the Syrian reality and the question marks surrounding matters that should never be questioned, such as sovereignty, decision-making, and safety and security
Thank you so much Zayn! I’m am very pleased to hear you enjoyed the piece - and indeed let’s work hard to keep the focus on states that have been neglected for too long in public discourse
The real thanks is for your noble and humanitarian endeavor. I am very happy to read and interact with your articles, and it would be a great honor to be a part of it and share this endeavor with you, if you would like more direct readings from the Syrian reality ( Even though you same very related )
Brilliant analysis. Calling it a 'Cold War' misses the nuance: this is really a high-stakes competition for strategic primacy under the US security umbrella. Al-Sharaa using Israeli security interests to prevent Syria from becoming a total Turkish client state is a fascinating display of pragmatic survival in a post-Assad Levant.
The map seems to be made using artificial intelligence
I didn’t know we had super Lebanon
Good catch thank you, will adjust accordingly! PS while we indeed don’t have a ‘Super Lebanon’, Lebanon is super though;)