From the plains of Idlib to the presidential palace in Damascus and now the UN headquarters in Manhattan, Al Majalla traces the Syrian president's journey to get to this historic moment

Weapons caches, investigations into killings, ongoing raids and kidnappings, coordinated assaults, roadblocks, and sporadic fighting does not instil confidence, but some residents see reason to hope.

In Türkiye for talks and a conference, Syria's new president knows that there is much to do and many to satisfy if he is to rebuild his country. Amidst the smiles, those with agendas jostle.

To be successful, Syria needs genuine representation to make all citizens feel included—not token appointees to check the "diversity" box

As Syria takes this important step forward, the journey ahead remains fraught with obstacles but also hope

Alongside the Syrians who ousted Assad in December were Chechens, Uyghurs, Arabs, Europeans, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Turks, and Albanians, to name but a few. What next for them?

If the interim government fails to deliver on promises of stability and prosperity, divisions will deepen, tensions will rise, and Syria could once again descend into violent unrest

Some predict partition, others federalism or fragmentation. Amidst the competing interests of Arab states, Russia, the US, Israel, Iran, Türkiye, and Europe, Syria treads its own path

Al Majalla spent several days talking to civilians, fighters, and the former interior minister in the province where Syria's new leaders honed their modes of governance

The legitimacy of Sharaa's government will depend on whether it upholds the rule of law or reverts to the same repressive tactics as the Assad regime that he toppled