Part 5/8:
The international community, especially the United States and European Union, is in a precarious position. With HTS now in a position of authority, countries are grappling with whether to engage or isolate the new leadership to maintain diplomatic integrity and uphold previous policies related to counter-terrorism.
Clouding the political landscape further are regional powers like Turkey, which has its interests concerning the territorial integrity of Syria, especially regarding the Kurdish factions. The ability of disparate groups to forge alliances or oppose HTS will depend heavily on external influences, notably from Turkey and the United States, complicating the prospects for unified governance.