What Kind of State for Syria?

Abstract: Following the collapse of the 53-year-old Assad regime in December 2024 and the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria faces the challenge of constructing a new state rooted in Islamic legitimacy. What kind of state will Syria become under its new regime? This essay explores the ideological and constitutional possibilities emerging from Syria’s transitional 2025 Constitutional Declaration. Drawing on modern Islamic constitutional theory, the essay examines tensions between Islamic jurisprudence, executive power, and civic rights. The 2025 Constitutional Declaration’s surprising omission of institutionalized shari‘a review and its emphasis on centralized presidentialism reflect an ambiguous blend of Islamic norms and pragmatic governance, marking a potentially pivotal moment in the evolution of Islamic political thought.