A year and a half after the fall of the Assad regime, Syria faces a profound paradox. On the external front, the government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has recorded significant diplomatic achievements: growing regional and international recognition and a wave of investment pledges from the Gulf states, Turkey, the United States, and Europe. On the domestic front, however, the picture is far more troubling: Syria faces ethnic tensions, security threats, ideological divisions, and a severe economic crisis that is becoming a central source...
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...
Syria, under Ahmed al-Sharaa’s leadership, is not a direct party to the war between the United States and Israel on the one hand and Iran on the other. At the same time, it is neither neutral nor passive. Although Syria is not directly involved in the fighting, Damascus has demonstrated extensive diplomatic activity as it seeks to exploit the regional crisis to distance itself from the Iranian axis, reintegrate into the regional system, and present itself as a constructive and valuable actor. At the same time, Syria is reinforcing...
About a year after Ahmed al-Sharaa rose to power, a renewed rapprochement between Russia and Syria—particularly in the security sphere—has become apparent. This follows an initial period of suspicion and caution, reflecting a combination of diplomatic appeasement efforts by Moscow and Damascus’s recognition of the security threats facing Syria. In recent months, intensive dialogue has taken place between the two countries’ defense ministries and armed forces, including discussions on assistance to rehabilitate the Syrian army and on...
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...
Since Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rise to power in Syria, Qatar has played a central role in the country’s reconstruction process. With the open support of the United States and coordination with Turkey, Doha has positioned itself as a leading actor in shaping the new Syrian order. It reopened its embassy in Damascus, sent aid, launched infrastructure projects, and invested in the energy, health, and transportation sectors. Combining diplomacy with a “bottom-up” economic strategy, Qatar offers an alternative to other Gulf states regarding...
The clashes in the Sweida region of Syria, which began with a local incident that escalated into a large-scale confrontation involving both regional and international actors, cast a heavy shadow over the character of the regime and its performance. Over several days, severe clashes occurred between local Druze militias and fighters from Sunni Bedouin tribes. The Syrian regime’s security forces were dispatched to the area to restore order, but their involvement led to further escalation and intense fighting between them, the Druze,...
Since the rise of the new regime in Syria, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, the government in Damascus has quickly established itself as the official ruling authority. It has been advancing efforts to stabilize the domestic arena and rehabilitate the country’s foreign relations. The new administration has sent reassuring messages to the world and neighboring countries, particularly to Israel, emphasizing that it has no intention of continuing military confrontations. While the international community responded positively and engaged in...
Syria is currently undergoing an accelerated process of reintegration into the international community, which appears increasingly inclined to legitimize its new regime under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa. As an Arab Muslim country that shares a border with Israel, it is important to examine how Egypt—Israel’s most important neighbor and a major Arab state—is receiving Syria. While Egyptian–Syrian relations have fluctuated over the past decades, a fundamental ideological gap is now emerging for the first time. Nevertheless, Egypt...
On December 8, 2024, Syria experienced a historic turning point with the fall of Bashar al-Assad. This dramatic development has ushered in a new phase of uncertainty and transition, offering both risks and opportunities. While it is still too early to determine Syria’s long-term trajectory, the new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has made cautious moves to stabilize the country. However, Israel’s initial reaction—shaped by security anxieties and the trauma of the October 7 attack—has resulted in a militarized and...
The map highlights the five IDF outposts located north of the Blue Line and marks areas where ceasefire violations have been recorded. Additionally, it documents Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Hezbollah attacks on Israel during the Swords of Iron War, including Operation Northern Arrows.
The map is continuously updated as accurately as possible, based on open-source intelligence assessments and media reports.
