Syria's Revolution and Aftermath

The Syrian revolution, which began on March 15, 2011, aimed to end the four-decade rule of the Assad regime, but it quickly devolved into a devastating civil war involving numerous external forces. As a result of the conflict, hundreds of thousands are estimated to have died, and over 14 million people were displaced, with many fleeing to neighboring countries. The recent ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December was seen as a glimmer of hope; however, the rise of his successor, Ahmed al-Shara, initially associated with jihadist groups, has raised concerns among civilians about the future for stability and governance in Syria. The ongoing violence, including a recent massacre of Alawite civilians, underscores that the country’s turmoil may not be over.