Damascus changes face: what happens after Assad’s escape
Bashar al-Assad is no longer in power. After over a decade of war and a seemingly immovable regime, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels have seized Damascus in a lightning operation, forcing Assad to take refuge in Moscow with his family. Images of toppled statues and crowds celebrating have gone around the world, symbols of a population seeing the regime’s fall as a chance for rebirth. But behind the enthusiasm lie crucial questions: What will happen now within Syria, and what repercussions will unfold in the region? Inside the country, the new provisional government faces immense challenges. Syria is devastated, with a collapsed economy and millions of citizens living as refugees or internally displaced. Ethnic and religious rivalries, from the Kurdish north to Sunni strongholds, risk making reconciliation impossible. The legacy of Assad’s regime has left fertile ground for the resurgence of extremism, such as ISIS, while numerous armed militias pose a real threat to stability. On the regional level, Assad’s fall is a geopolitical earthquake. Iran, a historical ally of the regime, sees its influence diminished, while Israel, worried about the possible expansion of hostile groups, has already intensified its presence in the area. Turkey, on the other hand, may take advantage of the chaos to consolidate its control in northern Syria. Meanwhile, Russia, despite granting Assad asylum, risks losing its role as a mediating power in the region. The West also finds itself in a delicate position. The United States and Europe officially support a democratic transition but fear instability could turn Syria into another battlefield for rival factions. Meanwhile, the humanitarian emergency remains dire, with the United Nations reporting millions left without aid. After years of war, the population dreams of peace, but the risk that Syria becomes another example of an unfinished transition is very real: the challenge has just begun.
Passing to Europe, yesterday’s focus was on the much-anticipated remarks by ECB President Christine Lagarde, which marked a crucial moment for the Eurozone economy. Lagarde hinted at the possibility of interest rate cuts in the near future, signaling a shift from the tough stance of recent months. “Inflation is finally showing signs of slowing, but economic growth remains weak,” she explained, emphasizing that the main goal is to support a balanced economic recovery. The ECB appears ready to ease the pressure on European households and businesses, but its future moves will depend on economic data in the coming months, including figures related to employment and trade.
And then there’s Atreju, the traditional political event of Italy’s center-right, which this year unfolded in Rome, a stage for debates and meetings. The event, now a symbol of the youth-oriented right, featured prominent speeches, particularly on Thursday and Friday. Among the highlights was the Prime Minister’s address, where he reiterated the conservative agenda with promises on jobs, family, and security. “The family is the beating heart of our nation, and we must protect and support it by all means,” he declared, drawing applause from the audience. Beyond leader speeches, Atreju hosted roundtables on pressing topics such as the future of work, artificial intelligence, and energy security, attracting experts and representatives from civil society. Another hallmark of this edition was the presence of international delegations, underscoring the Italian center-right’s effort to strengthen its European and global alliances. Friday saw bilateral meetings with representatives of other European conservative parties, fueling speculation about potential joint strategies for next year’s European elections.
