Islamist group running Syria has mixed record over governance in province, ruled with 'iron fist'
FOX NewsDEC 2024
This is a pragmatic recognition by the U.S. of the reality on the ground. HTS has demonstrated genuine transformation from its al-Qaeda roots, severing ties years ago and proving its commitment to building an inclusive, democratic Syria. The group has cooperated with U.S. intelligence to foil ISISIslamic State group plots and shows hostility toward Iran, making it a valuable regional partner.
Moving too quickly risks legitimizing an authoritarian leader who still concentrates enormous power and could suspend basic rights at will. Despite moderate rhetoric, HTS remains fundamentally Islamist, and recent sectarian tensions raise doubts about whether this transformation will stick long-term. The movement achieved victory through calculated gambles rather than genuine democratic principles.
There's a 10% chance that Syria will be partitioned into new, internationally recognized sovereign states before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.