Syria Faces Uncertain Future Under Islamist Leadership After Assad’s Fall

Ahmed al-Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leads Syria's transition, promising inclusivity while facing skepticism over its jihadist roots and governance plans.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, has assumed control of Syria following the rapid collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late November 2024.
Sharaa has pledged an inclusive transition, engaging with religious minorities and civil society, but concerns persist about HTS's past authoritarian governance in Idlib and jihadist origins.
International actors, including the U.S., Turkey, and Gulf states, are cautiously engaging with Syria’s new leadership, with sanctions relief and reconstruction efforts being discussed.
HTS has announced plans for a national dialogue and potential elections, though timelines remain vague, raising fears of prolonged Islamist consolidation of power.
Economic recovery is a priority for the transitional government, but Syria’s devastated infrastructure and reliance on foreign aid pose significant challenges.