Overview

• Ahmed al-Scharaa has announced a 22-member cabinet to lead Syria's five-year transitional period following Bashar al-Assad's ousting in December 2024.
• The new government includes Hind Kabawat, a Christian woman and former opposition figure, as Minister for Social Affairs and Labor, marking a symbolic step toward inclusivity.
• Raed al-Saleh, head of the White Helmets, has been appointed Minister for Emergency and Disaster Management, highlighting civil society representation.
• Key positions, such as foreign affairs and defense, remain under the control of al-Scharaa's close allies, raising concerns about centralized power under the new transitional constitution.
• The Kurdish minority in northeastern Syria has rejected the government, citing exclusion and fears of authoritarianism, complicating national unity and international support efforts.