The Foreign Desk The spectacular fall of the Assad regime
Dec 14, 2024
Rime Allaf, a Syrian-born writer and political analyst, joins David Kilcullen, a counterinsurgency expert, along with Burcu Ozcelik and Mark Galeotti, to discuss the swift decline of the Assad regime. They delve into the complex emotions of Syrian refugees contemplating their return amid ongoing chaos. The conversation highlights the roles of foreign powers like Russia and Turkey, the military strategies of rebel groups, and the potential for a new, inclusive government in Syria's uncertain future.
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HTS Role and Concerns
- HTS, despite its extremist roots, played a key role in the liberation of Damascus.
- Concerns remain about their future governance given their terror designation by some countries.
Syrian Diaspora's Dilemma
- Syrians abroad are experiencing mixed emotions, eager to return home but cautious.
- Many have established new lives elsewhere, while others faced hardship and discrimination.
Rapid State Collapse
- States collapse quickly, while insurgencies tend to degrade slowly.
- This was evident in the Syrian government's rapid fall despite a long insurgency.