What is happening in Syria’s north and who decides next?
Northern Syria is entering a transitional phase marked by negotiated political change rather than large-scale warfare. After more than a decade of fragmented military and administrative arrangements, the current trajectory points toward recentralization through dialogue, confidence-building measures, and gradual governance integration. This shift reflects the waning of exceptional wartime conditions linked to the fight against ISIS and prolonged foreign military involvement. The Syrian government has reasserted control over most major population centers and strategic corridors, with recent extensions into areas previously governed by parallel security arrangements occurring with limited civilian disruption. Security challenges, such as underground tunnel networks, remain localized and are being addressed selectively as part of stabilization efforts rather than nationwide combat operations. The future of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) appears increasingly tie...
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