"If this new Umayyad vision holds, Syria’s immediate to mid-term future may not lie in reunification, but in a patchwork of decentralised entities tethered to a centralised Sunni-led authority in Damascus." syriaintransition.com/thenewumayyads

Check out my latest piece:how Aleppo fell to the Syrian rebels, focusing on the defection of the Iranian-backed Baqir Brigade that was seen as crown jewel of Iran’s Syrian networks. The defection shows Iran’s networks & alliances were widely misunderstood syriaintransition.com/howaleppofell

"Hope for the Levant" In conversation with Malik al-Abdeh of Syria in Transition syriaintransition.com/hopefortheleva…

Angry Sunnis: President Sharaa’s base is beginning to ask awkward questions Even before the guns fell silent, the questions had begun. Why did interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa authorise the Suwayda operation without securing a firm green light from the United States and Israel?

Proxy vote: In Syria’s troubled transition, a weak legislature may be better than none at all When an estimated 5,000 Syrians head to polling booths on or around 20 August, it will mark a rare moment of political participation in post-Assad Syria. The poll, set to establish a

Can the UN adapt to Syria’s new political order? - Syria in Transition: syriaintransition.com/missionmisalig…

“In Syrian political and civil society circles, however, mere mention of senior UN personnel such as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Adam Abdelmoula, Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, or Najat Rochdi — elicits the same response: they should all step down” syriaintransition.com/missionmisalig…

"His strategy of integrating minorities by coercion is attracting international scrutiny. Less discussed outside the country, however, is the potential wavering of support from Sharaa’s key base." By Syria in Transition syriaintransition.com/angrysunnis

Frustration with UK over slow-walk Damascus ties as embassies remain closed After a quick embrace, Britain trails in race to establish diplomatic presence in Syria. The National thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025/0…

Sources close to the Syrian leadership confirm that Ahmad al- Sharaa has ambitions to become King. For this, he would need recognition from a much broader segment of the population – and in this the tribes are uniquely positioned. syriaintransition.com/lionsofsyria

Syria’s leadership is moving away from traditional jihadi-Salafism and begun to align more closely with Madkhali Salafism. Learn more about this school of thought and recent efforts to mainstream it: syriaintransition.com/newagesalafism

Syria in Transition spoke with members of the Syrian diaspora in Germany. One interviewee recalled meeting a Sunni who said he didn’t like Sharaa, but would be ready to sacrifice his soul for him because now it is about Syria’s survival. syriaintransition.com/faultlinesabro…

Syria in Transition has learned from informed sources that Turkey’s message to Sharaa is clear: strengthen ties with Moscow. Only with Russia back in the fold can Damascus – and Ankara – balance Israeli, Saudi, and Western influence in Syria, while preserving the country’s

Why dropping zeros from Syria’s currency isn’t the best option? Full analysis in these articles: - Cutting Zeros, Restoring Trust: karamshaar.com/syria-in-figur… - New Banknotes for a New Syria: karamshaar.com/syria-in-figur…

Always interesting by Syria in Transition This on how Turkey is trying to bring Russia back into the game in Syria is well worth reading: "Russian support will be pivotal if Turkey decides to resolve the Kurdish issue in the old fashioned way. This could involve a Syrian army

The Syrian and Turkish MoDs signed a joint military cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Syrian Arab Army, developing its institutions and structure, and supporting the comprehensive reform of the security sector. sana.sy/?p=2261361

US offers incentives to Syria to back off from fighting minorities Washington proposes 'Friends of Syria' coalition to support recovery, The National has learnt | The National thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025…

A US-mediated agreement/s between Syria and Israel would be a significant diplomatic breakthrough. While Assad dangled normalisation with Israel for years with no actual intention of doing so, Damascus is now seriously engaged in talks towards a détente.