As Syrians pick up the pieces following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government, the country is grappling with the weight of its recent past. Images of prisoners being released from the country’s notorious prisons evoke both relief and horror.

The stories emerging paint a grim picture: a regime that gassed its people, imprisoned and tortured dissidents, and buried countless innocents alive. Women were raped, some gave birth while in prison, and children grew up in cells, unaware of the world beyond the prison walls. These atrocities reveal a brutal legacy that has left no Syrian family untouched.

For decades, Bashar al-Assad’s rule was synonymous with unimaginable cruelty. People disappeared for the simple act of attending demonstrations, their only crime being opposed to a tyrannical regime. The horrors inflicted upon innocent Syrians speak to the depravity of humanity.

Yet amid the ashes of this shattered nation, critical questions remain: Who are the winners and losers in this unfolding drama?

The most glaring loser in this scenario is the Iranian regime. For years, Iran poured billions into supporting proxy groups across the Middle East, with the Syrian regime as its crown jewel. Now, that investment lies in ruins. Syria was Tehran’s linchpin, but with Assad’s downfall, Iran’s influence in the region faces a serious setback.

Russia also emerges diminished. A global superpower aligning itself with Assad has been, at best, a cynical calculation and, at worst, a humanitarian stain. By backing Assad’s regime through years of oppression, Moscow bears responsibility for the suffering of millions. The international community has yet to hold Russia accountable, a glaring failure that raises questions about the role of institutions like the UN in safeguarding human rights. The world demands action, not indifference.

If there is a potential winner in this tragic equation, it is the Syrian people. The fall of Assad presents a long-awaited opportunity to forge a new future. The path to democracy—or even a semblance of a peaceful, dignified life—is now within reach.

However, this hope is not without complications. Syria’s future leadership hangs in precarious balance, and the shadow of extremism looms large. Mohammed al-Julani, leader of the rebel group Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has emerged as one of Syria’s most powerful figures. Julani’s trajectory is complex. Once aligned with al-Qaeda, he claims to have renounced extremism to focus on Syria’s struggle. Yet his past and the authoritarian tendencies of HTS cast doubt on whether he can guide Syria toward a democratic future.

Julani’s story is emblematic of Syria’s tangled struggle for identity. Born in Saudi Arabia in 1982 to a family displaced from the Golan Heights, he grew up in Damascus and became radicalized in the early 2000s. His affiliation with al-Qaeda and subsequent leadership of HTS have defined much of his public image. Yet, in 2016, Mohammed al-Julani announced a break from al-Qaeda, a move he claimed was aimed at focusing on Syria’s fight for freedom.

Under HTS’s control, Idlib became a hub for rebellion. The group established the unrecognized quasi-government, the Syrian Salvation Government, a civilian front with ministries and departments. Julani began to engage with the public, attempting to recast himself as a moderate leader. However, critics argue that HTS’s rule mirrors the authoritarianism of Assad’s regime. Julani’s recent adoption of his real name, Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, further fuels speculation about his intentions.

As Julani and HTS step into the power vacuum left by Assad, the international community watches warily. Will Syria chart a path toward democracy, or will it succumb to another cycle of authoritarianism or extremism?

For now, Syria stands at a crossroads. The scars of war and oppression are deep, but the resilience of its people offers a glimmer of hope. This is a chance for Syrians to reclaim their nation and rebuild their lives. The journey will be difficult, but the dream of a better future remains.

The world is watching. Syria’s next chapter has yet to be written, and its people deserve a story of freedom, justice, and renewal.