Part 10/14:

• Assad’s initial liberalization efforts were sabotaged by elites and military commanders, leading to corruption and economic disparities.

• Economic hardship, drought, and inequality fueled discontent among Sunni populations.

• The Assad regime’s reliance on brutal repression, torturous prisons, and sectarian favoritism perpetuated unrest and alienation.

The Rise of Extremism and Regional Power Plays

As the conflict intensified, Islamist groups gained ground, with al-Qaeda affiliates, ISIS, and local jihadists fighting Assad with foreign backing. Notably, the U.S. and its allies inadvertently supported some jihadi factions in Syria, seeking to weaken Assad or to destabilize Iran and Russia’s influence.