Explainer: Syria after Assad - Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham, israel and the road ahead

Syria’s future remains precarious, and a sustainable peace uncertain; given local rivalries, personal vendettas, and the threat from Islamist groups such as ISIS, all jostle for position post-Assad regime. For neighbouring states and international policymakers, the post-Assad era offers opportunities for strategic realignment but equally carries the risk of a renewed power vacuum if President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government cannot govern and maintain peace. In this paper we examine the threats and opportunities for Israel, especially in light of the latest violence against the Druze in Syria, and Israel’s response.