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Syria's de facto leader will prioritise pragmatism

Monday, January 13, 2025

Significance

A significant share of the appointees are not members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the salafist-jihadist originating group led by Sharaa; several are foreign militants. The appointments are not an indication of Sharaa's propensity to share power; rather, they reflect a determination to avoid the excessive concentration of power among HTS lieutenants.

Impacts

  • The United States and European countries will lift sanctions gradually, and much will remain conditional on inclusive governance.
  • The Gulf states will consider stepping in to provide immediate budgetary support, possibly linked to public-sector salaries and basic goods.
  • Syrians abroad will be cautious in resettling back to the country.

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