ISBN 978-1-805-26410-1

Jørgen Jensehaugen

PRIO

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The transformation from being an extreme Islamist with a bounty on his head, having belonged to both ISIS and al-Qaida, to representing Syria as the country’s president the UN General Assembly is truly remarkable. This is precisely the change that al-Sharaa underwent in the timespan of 13 years. It was not only him, of course, but the movement he led, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While analysts and policy-makers are right to be unsure about what to make of the new regime in Damascus, it is worth taking HTS’ political process of moderation seriously and using its time in Idlib as an analytical point of departure. Few analysts, if any, are able to do so with as deep a knowledge and as clearsighted analysis as Patrick Haenni and Jerome Drevone. Transformed by the People takes us through HTS’ transformation in both a topical and chronological sense, showing how a wide variety of dynamics impacted the change. These include an increased nationalized focus, a consolidation of power, a politicization of their approach, a respect for local traditions and reactions to civil society, as well as engagement with external actors. The authors describe the result as Thermidorian, referring to the more moderate or centrist phase of the French revolution. Many readers might feel a certain discomfort at such an optimistic reading of HTS, and it might be too early to tell. Haenni and Drevon do not shy away from the negative aspects of HTS, though, making it clear that the authoritarian streak that many Syrians fear is part of the movement. Future developments will tell how that evolves.