The establishment of Syria’s interim parliament marks a critical juncture in the country’s institutional transition, highlighting the inherent tension between the regime’s aspiration for political and international legitimacy and its tendency toward authoritarian centralization. For Damascus, the move is intended to signal a break from the Ba’ath legacy, but in practice, it reflects a sophisticated mechanism of co-optation: alongside the integration of a diverse range of representatives — from women and minorities to...
This article analyzes Islamic discourse among institutions and clerics associated with Syria’s new regime. The discourse reflects fundamentally hostile positions toward Israel and rejects peace with it; however, it is neither uniform nor static. Alongside rigid Islamist ideological expressions—most of which emerged in response to Israeli military activity in Syria—over the past year, there has also been a noticeable softening in tone and frequency. This trend does not indicate a deep ideological shift or the groundwork for full...
On December 8, the anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime and the rise of the transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa was commemorated. Despite his jihadi past, al-Sharaa seeks to present himself as a national, pragmatic, and statesmanlike leader. Thus far, the transitional government has advanced stabilization measures and rapid political procedures, including the establishment of a technocratic government and a temporary parliament, as well as an attempt to rebuild the Syrian army. While al-Sharaa has achieved...
