The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Archive: The New Syrian Government and Its Problems
Mar 28, 2026
Steven Heydemann, director of Smith College’s Middle East Studies Program and longtime analyst, offers a brisk tour of Syria’s sudden political transition. He breaks down Ahmed al-Shara’s power grab and comparisons to Erdogan-style rule. He discusses deadly communal violence, the al-Shara-Kurd deal, Turkey’s aims in the north, Israeli interventions, and the U.S. sanctions dilemma.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Al-Shara Quickly Consolidated Transition Structures
- Ahmed al-Shara has rapidly built a political and security framework for transition in Syria.
- He secured armed factions' acceptance, convened Syrians on core principles, approved an interim constitution, and created a National Security Council.
Transitional Constitution Grants Extensive Presidential Power
- The new transitional constitution centralizes power in the presidency and limits checks.
- Al-Shara is commander in chief and the constitution gives him direct or indirect authority over parliament, the judiciary, and security.
Syria Could Mirror Turkey's Strong Executive Model
- Syria under al-Shara may resemble Turkey under Erdogan with an empowered executive and limited dissent.
- Heydemann warns al-Shara's Islamist ideology could be socially more restrictive than Erdogan's.