Since the fall of the Syrian regime on December 8th, the term federalism has become a central topic of discussion among Syrians, both inside and outside the country. The former regime, in addition to its repression and authoritarianism, embodied the worst aspects of centralized governance. Its collapse has created an opportunity for Syrians to freely and rationally consider their future—especially given that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, an organization designated as a terrorist group by the United Nations and multiple countries, now controls the Syrian capital.
The growing discourse around federalism is further fueled by the new ruling authority’s failures. It has attempted to manipulate both the international community and local populations, while repeatedly failing to demonstrate goodwill toward Syria’s diverse social groups.
The de facto leadership has refused to establish a transitional government that ensures broad participation, instead restricting power to figures affiliated with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. This government includes individuals with a history of violent extremism, such as Justice Minister Shadi Al-Waisi, accused of carrying out extrajudicial executions while serving as a religious judge for Jabhat al-Nusra in Aleppo.
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