**Is Syria on the Brink of Total Collapse?** Two months after a regime change, the country faces a grim reality. With a new authoritarian rule emerging, fears of civil war loom large. C...

Where is Syria heading?

Two months after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the Syrian landscape has become even more complex and uncertain. The capture of Damascus by the group "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" (HTS) and its allies, along with the appointment of Ahmed Al-Sharaa as the new leader of the country, shattered hopes for democracy. There are no signs that Syria is moving towards an inclusive political system. On the contrary, the country is now under the control of a new ideological dictatorship, where authoritarian and radical governance has replaced the previous regime. While many believe that Russia will exit the region following Assad's downfall, the fact remains that the new administration seeks to strengthen ties with Russia.

The decision of the new leadership to dissolve state institutions and concentrate all power in its hands clearly demonstrates that the so-called transitional period is merely a cover for establishing another totalitarian system. Reports from the ground indicate mass executions and systematic suppression of dissenting voices, suggesting that this is simply a new form of tyranny masked under religious slogans, which, in essence, is little different from the previous dictatorship.

A government dominated by extremists

In addition to repression and human rights violations, another alarming signal is the composition of the new Syrian government, which is predominantly made up of individuals with well-documented ties to extremist movements. Particularly shocking is the appointment of the current Minister of Justice, who has been repeatedly seen in videos personally overseeing public executions of Syrian women accused of adultery during HTS's control over Idlib. The appointment of such individuals to key state positions indicates the true nature of the new regime – one that relies on brutal force and terror to maintain power, foreshadowing an even greater future of violence and chaos in Syria.

The threat of new civil wars

Attempts to impose a singular religious identity on Syria's multi-national and multi-confessional society generate fears of new civil wars – potentially even more brutal than the decade-long conflict that has just ended. The violent imposition of radical ideology onto Syria’s complex demographic mosaic will inevitably provoke armed resistance, potentially sparking internal conflicts even among the ruling factions. This makes the prospect of stability in Syria increasingly elusive.

A weak and fragmented international response

The international response to the crisis in Syria remains inconsistent and contradictory:

• The West is preoccupied with its own internal and geopolitical crises, diverting attention from Syria.
• Russia and Iran may seek to reenter using the fight against terrorism as a pretext for new military intervention.
• Turkey faces accusations of funding radical groups as part of its broader strategy of influence – or even dominance – in Syria.
• The Gulf States are divided: some view the new regime as a threat to regional stability, while others are attempting to adapt to the new reality.

The lack of a unified international position provides HTS and other extremist groups with the opportunity to consolidate their power, complicating efforts to prevent Syria from becoming a radicalized state or fragmenting into divided territories.

Unexpected support from Ukraine

Despite global concerns, Ukraine has expressed support for the new Syrian rulers, believing that any changes may lead to stability. However, this position carries significant risks, as the presence of extremists in power could replicate the Afghan scenario with the Taliban. If Syria becomes a new hub for militants, it could transform into a global security threat, causing even greater instability in the Middle East and beyond.

What can be done to save Syria?

To prevent Syria from further descending into chaos, the following steps are necessary:

1. Decisive international pressure on the ruling factions, demanding the initiation of an inclusive national dialogue involving all political and civil actors, not just armed groups.
2. Strengthening secular and civil opposition forces to balance the influence of extremists in shaping Syria's future.
3. Supporting civil society to document and expose human rights violations, ensuring accountability and justice.
4. Halting financial and military support for radical groups to weaken their economic and military control over the country.

However, the main question remains open: Can Syria break free from the vicious cycle of violence and extremism, or is its fate already sealed – a path towards division, destruction, and perpetual instability?