Rawan Osman روان عثمان
My take (as a Syrian) on the new Syrian leadership is controversial, and I might have lost an Israeli friend or two. Bear with me. I fully understand the concerns in Israel and the widespread skepticism toward the new Syrian leadership. Frankly, it’s hard to blame anyone. After everything Islamists have done, it’s only natural for analysis to be clouded by fear — even paranoia. That said, clarity is important. For one, Al-Julani pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, not ISIS — a distinction that’s often blurred but matters in this context. Yes, the new Syrian leadership seeks alignment with Israel — but not out of ideology. It’s pragmatism. Both ISIS and the Islamic Republic of Iran want them eliminated. Al-Julani himself has demonstrated pragmatism. He even communicated with the Israelis in the past — indirectly, yes, but intentionally. A regional deal was struck: a. Assad had to go. b. The Iranian corridor to Hezbollah had to be shut down. c. Al-Julani was entrusted with that mission inside Syria. This doesn’t mean blind trust. Far from it. Even with agreements in place, much of the military infrastructure in Syria was dismantled — precisely to ensure it couldn’t be turned against Israel, the Kurds, or any actor whose survival is vital to the region’s fragile balance. The Americans brokered this deal. And Al-Julani agreed to join a new alliance — one that aspires to offer an alternative vision for the Middle East. His biggest challenge now? Staying alive — and keeping the jihadists in check while gradually neutralizing their influence. His team’s greatest task? Building institutions that can reshape Syrian society — and detoxify it from decades of sectarianism, jihadism, hatred, and deep-rooted mistrust. It’s a long road ahead. But for the first time in a long time, there is a road. #Israel #syria #AlJulani #AbrahamAccords #احمد_الشرع #سوريا