With the extraordinary events taking place in Syria the past few days, many have questioned; now that Assad is gone, who is to replace him?
It’s been a point of concern and worry to many who cite the events in Iran in 1979 as the possible harbinger of things to come when the new government in Syria is formed.
Since one of the major players in the takeover of Syria is HTS (Tahrir al-Sham), a group with extremist ties and affiliations, it begs the question; “is this a case of history repeating itself?” – while the celebrations and proclamations that the Assad regime is over, and while many truly believe this will be the beginning of a sweeping and positive change for Syria and its people, it still begs the question if what is happening is not really a sleight-of-hand and what we are actually seeing are the same players in different clothing?
As was evidence earlier today, rebel group HTS leader Abu Mohammad al Joulani underwent a radical appearance and name change in order to present himself under his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The move is part of Jolani’s effort to bolster his legitimacy in a new context.
Jolani’s transformation is not recent, but has been carefully cultivated over the years, evident not only in his public statements and interviews with international outlets but also in his evolving appearance.
Once clad in traditional jihadist militant attire, he has adopted a more Western-style wardrobe in recent years. Now, as he leads the offensive, he has donned military fatigues, symbolizing his role as the commander of the operations room.
As a reminder, to take either as a frame of reference, a preview of coming attractions or a grain of salt, here is a Face The Nation interview with Ayatollah Khomeini from January 14, 1979 – almost a year before the dramatic takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and during a period when much optimism that change for the good was in the air. A change that evaporated over a short period of time.
Not saying it will – but saying it could.
