Syria is currently going through an uncertain transitional period. With the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s transitional government, the country faces both opportunities and challenges. My research examines how Syria’s transitional period is affecting religious minority communities such as Christians, Alawites, Druze, and Yazidis, including shifts to their protections, freedoms, and everyday lives.
While the Assad regime was authoritarian, it maintained a degree of protection for minority communities by curbing extremist groups. In the aftermath of Assad’s fall, however, Syria faces growing instability, and signs of escalating sectarian tensions are emerging: attacks on Christian churches, kidnappings of Alawite women, and clashes between Bedouins and Druze in the south. These developments raise critical questions about the future of religious freedom in Syria and what its transition will mean for minorities.
A critical component of my research examines the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), a Kurdish-led governance model that emphasizes local autonomy and pluralism. I am exploring whether this approach can genuinely support religious diversity within Syria. Understanding how AANES navigates these challenges is important not only for Syria’s future but also for what it can teach other countries experiencing conflict and transition.
To investigate my research, I draw on academic studies, policy reports, UN and NGO publications, and credible media sources. This approach enables me to track shifts in Syria’s demographics resulting from migration, displacement, and the return of displaced populations, and to examine how these changes impact minority communities on the ground. This research is significant to me because it directly connects to my academic interests, personal experiences, and long-term career goals.
Growing up in rural South Dakota, I had limited exposure to other cultures and religions, which often shaped my early misconceptions about the Middle East. Studying Arabic and spending time in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Oman gave me firsthand insight into the resilience of communities often misunderstood abroad. Through this project, I aim to explore how tolerance and respect for diversity and religious freedoms are essential for creating a Syria where all citizens, not just a select few, have the opportunity to prosper.
I look at Syria’s transitional government with cautious optimism. While time will tell, the government has already shown negligence—failing to prevent the rise in attacks on minorities over the past year. If it is to break from the authoritarian patterns that have dominated Syria for decades, the new government must recognize these mistakes and move forward inclusively. In my view, this is not just about reform within Syria; it is also an opportunity to shift how the Western world engages with the region. This period of transition presents a chance to demonstrate to the world how groups previously labeled as extremist can reconsider their approach and explore paths towards inclusivity and peace. It is important to ensure that actions align with words. Accountability is essential, and hope alone is not enough. However, I do hope for Syria, its people have endured years of suffering and deserve the chance to live in safety and security. Syria has the potential to demonstrate how post-conflict transitions can be achieved when inclusive approaches guide security, diversity, and governance.
Author: Jessalyn Wienk