Syria has witnessed its worst sectarian violence since the toppling of Bashar al-Assad three months ago. The Alawite minority was targeted in western coastal areas, with reports suggesting around 800 people were massacred. This incident highlights the country’s dilemma: should power be concentrated in the central government or left to local and ethnic factions?
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist, faces this challenge. His leadership is questionable, and his commitment to inclusive nation-building is uncertain. The country risks falling apart if order cannot be maintained nationwide.
As tensions rise, Syria’s future hangs in the balance. Can the president find a solution that balances central control with regional autonomy? Or will the country succumb to sectarian divisions and collapse?
Source: https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/03/13/time-is-running-out-for-syrias-president