A close look at Ahrar al-Sham, the so-called moderate Salafist militia, backed by U.S. allies, that’s actually allied with al Qaeda.
Alexander Decina is a research associate specializing in U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. He has previously worked in Beirut, Lebanon, and Iraqi Kurdistan.
Now You See It
A DANGEROUS BLUFF
If Riyadh and its partners actually intend to send troops to Syria, it will be an incredibly risky move that will prolong the civil war.
DÉJÀ VU
Dumb judgments about who’s in charge helped speed Libya on the path toward failed-state status. The same thing could happen in Syria, but with much worse consequences.
PICKING SIDES
Riyadh, Ankara, and other members of the U.S.-backed coalition have different priorities. Their proxy battles in Syria could go on indefinitely.