Part 4/14:
Damascus shows signs of normalcy returning—with shops and banks reopening—yet widespread concerns remain about sectarian violence, extremism, and the possibility of power struggles. Notably absent is clarity on who will succeed Al Bashir in March, and how figures like Al Jolani, who has ties to Al-Qaeda, will navigate the evolving political landscape. Additionally, the new government faces the daunting task of rebuilding its military from scratch after a series of Israeli preemptive strikes aimed at crippling the military assets of Islamist factions.
Israeli Military Operations and Strategic Concerns