Abstract:
 

The fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, at the hands of Islamist military factions led by Ahmad Al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammad Al-Joulani), marks one of the most radical political upheavals in modern Syrian history. For most Syrians, this moment represents the end of two overlapping eras: the 14-year conflict that began with the popular uprising against Bashar Al-Assad in March 2011, and the Assad family’s 54-year authoritarian rule. Yet, little has been said about how December 8, 2024, fits into Syria’s broader twentieth-century history. A closer look at the pre-Assad and pre-Baathist social and political landscape can provide deeper insights into the challenges facing Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s new government. In this talk, Karam Nachar will explore how these historical dynamics inform two key issues: the potential rise of a conservative yet democratic political project and the enduring sectarian and ethnic fractures that have long shaped Syrian politics. 

Bio:
 

Karam Nachar is a Syrian writer, historian, and the executive director of Al-Jumhuriya, an award-winning independent media and knowledge platform. He has taught Middle Eastern history and politics at Isik University (Istanbul), Cooper Union (New York), and Princeton. Since 2011, he has provided analysis on Syrian politics for outlets such as Al Jazeera, CNN, MSNBC, and Democracy Now.

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