Syria… and Hysteria

Syria has been addressed hysterically, by both those supporters and the opponents, since Assad fled the country. Those in awe of what is happening have become hypersensitive to comments and criticism, while some criticism, finger-pointing, and escalation have been shockingly hysterical.
That is the case despite the fact that Assad fled Damascus for Moscow and the new Syrian administration took over exactly a month ago. While a week can be a long time in politics, something entirely different is happening.
I have always believed that political scenarios are never precisely replicated in our region, and I still do. Since the "Arab Spring," which led to the collapse of regimes and deposed presidents, mistakes in timing and a lack of seriousness have been the only consistency. However, there is no "blueprint" for the region.
Syria presents a unique case. It was home to a sincere revolution; its people have suffered particularly heavily, and its institutions, because of the Assads’ corruption- both father and son- have been hit particularly hard. Its social fabric has been systematically ripped apart over the past fourteen years by Iran’s intervention.
Hysteria of demands, criticisms, and provocations are being made. There is a deliberate effort to spread misinformation and attack the new administration. At the same time, we have also seen fanciful celebrations of the new Syria and its current and future political system. However, neither of these extremes provides us with what we need. We need more rationality, awareness, and humility.
We need to support Syria today, stand by it, and publicly state that actions will carry more weight than words. We must not be deceived by narratives about "minorities;” the focus must be on the nation, citizenship, and institutions that uphold these principles.
What matters most is that Syria is now in the hands of its people. Everyone must accept the choices Syrians make for themselves and avoid falling into illusions about Iran’s return or stirring tensions and further inflaming the situation. Both the region and the international community have an interest in seeing the emergence of a stable and successful Syria.
Everyone has an interest in Syria being a partner rather than the site of conspiracies, regional ambitions, or ideological plots. It is unreasonable to make demands of the Syrian people that other countries have not lived up to. For example, countries with sectarian-quota-based spoil-sharing regimes that host militias should not lecture Syrians on governance; that is simply unacceptable.
Likewise, it is unfair to expect Ahmed al-Sharaa to accomplish at once everything that Assad had failed to achieve during his reign despite many justifying his crimes. What we need is support and engagement to ensure that the course of reform and stability continues. This approach is far more effective and honorable than unjustified and unacceptable attacks.
There is no black and white in Syria’s story, and there rarely is in politics. However, one thing is certain: anything is an improvement to Bashar al-Assad’s regime, be it in terms of the political system or the leadership. I am confident that Syria will be much better off after Assad’s escape and the collapse of his criminal regime.
We need to see strong support for Syria and intensive Arab engagement. We must remember that the new system, whatever its nature, must confront severe challenges left by both the Assad era and broader regional developments. Thus, we must call for sensible discourse that avoids both naïve idealism and misguided disregard.
This is a moment to support Syria and ensure that it serves its people and reinforces regional stability and prosperity.