The Fourcast Will ISIS return after Syrian forces push Kurds back?
Jan 22, 2026
In this compelling discussion, Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News International Editor with vast experience from conflict zones, and Lina Khatib, Principal Analyst at ExTrac specializing in Middle East politics, delve into the tumultuous shifts in Syria. They explore the recent military gains of the Syrian government amid Kurdish losses and the implications for regional stability. Key topics include the fate of ISIS detainees, the sense of betrayal felt by the Kurds, and potential risks of continued guerrilla warfare, all while discussing the precarious balance of power in the region.
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Centralization Replaces Kurdish Autonomy
- Ahmed al-Shara's government is pushing centralization across Syria and reversing earlier federalist hopes for Kurdish autonomy.
- Lina Khatib warns this shift signals a national model of centralized governance and weakens prospects for permanent Kurdish autonomy.
Kurdish Resistance Could Turn Guerrilla
- Lindsey Hilsum says Kurdish-held Rojava has largely been retaken by Damascus forces after fierce fighting.
- She predicts many Kurds will resist full integration, raising the risk of prolonged guerrilla warfare.
Kurds Feel Repeatedly Abandoned
- Kurds were key western allies against ISIS but feel abandoned as US policy shifts support to Ahmed al-Shara.
- Lindsey Hilsum frames this as a repeat of historical betrayals where Kurdish partners were left once strategic value waned.