# Al-Sharaa Wants to ‘Please the United States’ — Journalist on Syria Post-Assad Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYAI7I917vc Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/xYAI7I917vc Generated: 2025-07-21T20:35:03.035+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview In a hypothetical scenario set in December 2024, the Syrian people overthrow Bashar al-Assad, ending his 25-year dictatorship and his family's 54-year rule, leading to a new government under Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly of Al-Qaeda, who promises democracy and economic rebuilding despite concerns about his authoritarian tendencies and ongoing sectarian violence. **Key Points:** - The discussion is premised on a hypothetical future where Bashar al-Assad's 25-year dictatorship and his family's 54-year rule in Syria end in December 2024. - The new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Julani), formerly of Al-Qaeda in Syria, claims he wants Syria to head towards democracy, rebuild its economy, and safeguard minorities. - Syria's civil war, which began in 2011, has resulted in over half a million deaths and forced more than 8 million people to flee. - Journalist Charles Glass highlights historical parallels between the 1925 nationalist revolt against French occupation and the 2011 revolt against Assad, noting both involved brutal suppression. - Foreign powers, including the US, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and Iran, played a detrimental role by arming a jihadist opposition, which ultimately led to ISIS taking over large parts of the country. - Al-Sharaa's new government has been criticized for ignoring demands for justice for Assad's victims and for working with former Assad loyalists, raising concerns about continued authoritarianism. - Al-Sharaa has unveiled a constitutional document granting him sweeping, unchecked powers, including appointing all ministers and controlling parliament, without an election, and the word 'democracy' does not appear in it. ![Screenshot at 00:40: Book cover for 'Syria: Civil War to Holy War?' by Charles Glass.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/xYAI7I917vc/00-00-40.png) **Context:** The video discusses a hypothetical future scenario where Bashar al-Assad's long-standing dictatorship in Syria ends in December 2024. This sets the stage for an in-depth analysis of the challenges and prospects for the nation under a new leadership. The discussion delves into the historical context of Syrian revolts, the significant role of foreign interference in the recent civil war, and the nature of the new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate. ## Detailed Analysis The video explores a hypothetical future where Bashar al-Assad's regime falls in December 2024, replaced by a new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, a former Al-Qaeda leader in Syria. Al-Sharaa claims he seeks to rebuild Syria's economy, move towards democracy, and safeguard minorities. Journalist Charles Glass, author of 'Syria: Civil War to Holy War?', draws parallels between the 2011 Syrian revolt against Assad and the 1925 nationalist revolution against French occupation, noting both were met with brutal force. Glass emphasizes that foreign interference, particularly from the US, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, by arming a jihadist opposition, inadvertently led to the rise of groups like ISIS, prolonging the conflict and causing immense destruction, including over half a million deaths and 8 million displaced people. The new al-Sharaa government faces skepticism, especially from Alawite and Christian minorities who fear persecution, as evidenced by reports of violence and forced displacement. Al-Sharaa's proposed constitutional document grants him sweeping, unchecked powers, including the sole authority to appoint ministers and control parliament, without any mention of democracy. This raises concerns about Syria transitioning from one dictatorship to another, with foreign powers like Israel potentially seeking to exploit the instability for their own interests, such as the permanent annexation of the Golan Heights. ### Hypothetical Future & New Leadership - Bashar al-Assad's regime is overthrown in December 2024 - Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Julani), former Al-Qaeda leader, assumes leadership - Al-Sharaa promises democracy, economic rebuilding, and minority protection. ### Historical Parallels in Syrian Revolts - Charles Glass compares the 2011 revolt to the 1925 nationalist revolution against French occupation - Both conflicts involved popular uprisings met with brutal suppression by the ruling powers - The 1925 rebellion was crushed by French air power and tanks, similar to Assad's tactics. ### Impact of Foreign Interference - External powers like the US, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey intervened in Syria's civil war - US, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar armed jihadist opposition groups - This foreign backing inadvertently contributed to the rise of ISIS and prolonged the conflict. ### Challenges for the New Government - Al-Sharaa's government faces demands for justice for Assad's victims but has ignored them - Reports indicate persecution of Alawite and Christian minorities, including killings and dispossessions - Al-Sharaa's proposed constitution grants him sweeping, unchecked powers without democratic elections. ### International Relations & Future Outlook - Al-Sharaa seeks to 'please the United States' for investment and sanctions relief - Potential meeting between al-Sharaa and Israeli PM Netanyahu for a security agreement - Israel's interest in a weak Syria and permanent control over the Golan Heights is highlighted - The future of Syria remains uncertain, with potential for continued conflict and instability among various factions and foreign interests. ### Trump's Influence & Syrian Hopes - Trump's administration previously lifted sanctions on Syria and un-prescribed HTS (al-Sharaa's former group) - Trump praised al-Sharaa, leading to some Syrian hope for US support - However, the long-term impact of US policy and the new government's authoritarian tendencies remain a concern for many Syrians. ![Screenshot at 00:00: Mehdi Hasan, the host, introduces the segment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/xYAI7I917vc/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:40: The book cover for 'Syria: Civil War to Holy War?' by Charles Glass is displayed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/xYAI7I917vc/00-00-40.png) ![Screenshot at 01:01: A split screen shows Mehdi Hasan in the studio and Charles Glass via video call.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/xYAI7I917vc/00-01-01.png) ![Screenshot at 05:04: A quote from Charles Glass's book is displayed on screen: 'No one has asked the Syrian people, in whose names all parties to the conflict claim to speak, what they want for their country.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/xYAI7I917vc/00-05-04.png) ![Screenshot at 05:11: Another quote from Charles Glass's book is displayed: 'Disregarding Syria's people has been a constant theme since the creation of modern Syria in 1920. Had anyone listened to them, the multiple tragedies of the past century might have been avoided.'](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/xYAI7I917vc/00-05-11.png) ![Screenshot at 07:10: Mehdi Hasan speaks directly to the camera, with the White House visible in the background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/xYAI7I917vc/00-07-10.png) ![Screenshot at 18:05: The book cover for 'Syria: Civil War to Holy War?' by Charles Glass is displayed again.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/xYAI7I917vc/00-18-05.png)