Syria: The Fall of a Dictator, the Rise of a Free State?

Are we witnessing the rise of a free state in Syria, or is it merely a façade? On Sunday, 12/08/2024, the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stormed the capital, Damascus. The leader of the group, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has taken power after the former, Bashar al-Assad, fled Syria for Russia.

Quoting Bashar al-Assad: "At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge." After al-Assad's departure al-Golani assumed power and stated that the West has nothing to fear.

The international community has been closely monitoring the situation in Syria. Many Western nations are cautiously optimistic about the potential for a more democratic and independent Syria. However, there are significant concerns about the stability of the new regime and its ability to govern effectively. The transition of power has been marked by violence and uncertainty, and it remains to be seen whether al-Golani can unite the various factions within the country. 

Will this truly signify the rise of a free state in Syria, the beginning of a positive and lasting relationship with the West? Does the future hold for Syria's relationship with the? Are we expecting al-Golani to ally with the USA and foster closer ties with, similar to Israel?

Al-Golani has stated that he is looking to give the people more rights and will no longer allow Syria to be a puppet for Iran. He even quoted, "Bashar al-Assad left Syria a farm Iran's greed." Al-Golani has spoken of dissolving the former security forces of al-Assad.

In addition to his promises of greater rights for the Syrian people, al-Golani has outlined a vision for economic reform and development. He has pledged to rebuild the country's infrastructure, which has been devastated by years of conflict. This includes plans to restore essential services such as electricity, water, and healthcare. Al-Golani has also emphasized the importance of education and has promised to invest in schools and universities to ensure that the next generation of Syrians has access to quality education. 

 Furthermore, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking for a positive transition in Syria even wants to see a future where the two countries are not clashing as they did in the past, A counter to Syria having a future as a free state is that USA and Isreal had joint military operations to destroy the military force of Syria by destroying the entire Syrian navy.

 Al-Golani stated in an interview with the BBC that he was looking to women's education in Syria, saying, "When it comes to women's education, of course, we've had universities in Idlib for more than eight years." In 2017, the first female university opened and is run by 15 female volunteers.

The role of women in the new Syria is a critical issue that al-Golani has addressed in his public statements. He has promised to promote gender equality and ensure that women have a voice in the political process. This is a significant departure from the policies of the Assad regime, which often marginalized women and restricted their rights. Al-Golani's commitment to women's education and empowerment is seen as a positive step towards a more inclusive and progressive society. 

I personally believe that Syria is a key state to watch for the potential establishment of Western democracy in the future. However, for this to happen, it is crucial to establish strong ties with the West. As members of NATO, we need to explore a future relationship with Syria and prevent adversaries like Russia from strengthening their influence in a country that holds significant value for the future of our Western ideals in the Middle East.

Furthermore, Abu Mohammed al-Golani has stated that he will not allow Syria to remain a puppet state for Iran. This statement suggests that al-Golani and his group are looking to the USA and the West for guidance and support. This presents an opportunity for us to foster a positive relationship with Syria and help steer the country towards a more democratic and independent future.