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According to Peter, Syria's longstanding history under Bashar al-Assad's brutal dictatorship plays a significant role in the current conflict landscape. Assad's regime has maintained strict control over a diverse country comprising various religious and ethnic minorities, including the Alawi sect—of which Assad is a part—and the Druze community. Historically, Assad's government has favored minority groups like the Alawi and Druze, allowing them relative safety as long as they remain loyal.