**Al-Sharaa's Diplomatic Maneuvers and Power Consolidation

In his inaugural address to the United Nations General Assembly, Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, called for the lifting of international sanctions on Syria, marking the first time a Syrian head of state has spoken at the assembly in nearly six decades.** This event is significant as it represents the first appearance of a Syrian president since Nureddin al-Atassi's tenure began in 1967. During the General Assembly sessions, Al-Sharaa engaged in numerous bilateral discussions with global leaders, positioning these interactions as part of Syria's renewed diplomatic efforts. Since taking office in December 2022, Al-Sharaa has been actively pursuing a diplomatic campaign, successfully securing substantial backing from key regional stakeholders. Notably, in July 2023, the United States removed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the organization led by Al-Sharaa, from its list of "foreign terrorist organizations." Earlier in May, he visited Paris for discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and senior officials from Saudi Arabia. The Arab League has also expressed support for the current Syrian regime, reflecting a broader effort by Al-Sharaa to reintegrate Syria into the international diplomatic community. However, this diplomatic initiative appears aimed at legitimizing Al-Sharaa's authority as the sole leader of Syria, with the regime seeking to consolidate its power over a fragmented nation. The regime's strategy involves convincing various ethnic and religious groups in Syria of its permanence and the benefits of accepting Al-Sharaa's leadership, thereby gaining external recognition and legitimacy. Recent developments underscore this approach, including Al-Sharaa's announcement of parliamentary "elections," where committees he appointed will select two-thirds of the parliament members. The administration has also disbanded the previous police force and expanded the General Security apparatus in Idlib, rapidly recruiting young men from the northern provinces where HTS maintains support. Significant changes have occurred within the security and administrative structures, including the appointment of Anas Khatab, a former director of Jabhat al-Nusra, as head of Syria's General Intelligence Directorate. Additionally, foreign militants affiliated with HTS, who make up a notable portion of its forces, are being granted Syrian citizenship and integrated into the military and administrative roles. The regime has also dismissed numerous judges, particularly women, not for professional misconduct but due to their affiliations with minority groups, while the process of ministerial appointments has become increasingly opaque. Furthermore, the regime appears to be leveraging sectarianism to cultivate a "homogeneous popular support base" among the Arab Sunni community, employing narratives of Sunni victimhood to rally segments of the population. This strategy has been recognized as an effective means of consolidating power in regions resistant to the regime's authority. The current administration's rhetoric and actions have increasingly targeted minority groups, including Alawites and Druze, while the military forces exhibit behavior reminiscent of militia groups, particularly towards these communities. Al-Sharaa has publicly condemned Israeli military actions in southern Syria as violations of national sovereignty, yet his stance is complicated by his own contradictory actions. He has suggested that a Turkish military operation against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces may be on the horizon if they do not fully integrate into the Syrian military by December, as per a prior agreement. This approach raises questions about his commitment to national sovereignty, particularly when foreign intervention is considered against his own citizens. The ongoing marginalization of ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians, Druze, and Kurds, poses a risk of long-term instability and undermines the legitimacy of the new regime. An inclusive governance model that embraces a broader spectrum of political perspectives is essential for fostering national unity. The current administration's singular focus on consolidating authority risks neglecting the democratic aspirations of the populace. The international community is urged to withhold support for Al-Sharaa's regime, which bears resemblance to the previous administration, unless it adopts a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to governance.

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