The dilemmas of post-jihadism: Syria’s interim president may lose support if Islamists deem his policies too soft

Since coming to power in December 2024, al-Sharaa has pursued engagement with nearly all regional and international actors simultaneously — including both Turkey and Israel. However, al-Sharaa’s willingness to find common ground has sparked discontent among his own supporters. Some are now considering defecting to more radical groups, such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, both of which are reportedly seeking to establish contact with critics of the interim government.