The Danger Lurking in Syria’s Power Vacuum

Christians in Syria captured by Islamic extremists.

In Syria, the streets are filled with cheers. Rebel forces have stormed the presidential palace, and the Assad regime—long synonymous with brutality and oppression—appears to be collapsing. For many, this feels like a long-overdue victory, a moment of freedom after years of suffering under a dictator. But let’s not break out the champagne just yet. The vacuum left by Assad’s regime isn’t going to remain empty, and what’s rushing in to fill it should worry everyone who cares about stability in the region—or global security, for that matter.

A Brutal Regime Overthrown

For over a decade, Bashar al-Assad ruled Syria with an iron fist, clinging to power through mass atrocities, chemical weapons, and a devastating civil war that left millions displaced and hundreds of thousands dead. The fall of Assad is being hailed as a victory for the Syrian people, and on paper, it should be. A dictator is gone. Freedom wins, right?

Not so fast. The truth is that the rebel forces now celebrating in the streets are not a unified front of freedom fighters. They’re a patchwork of factions—some moderately democratic, others deeply radicalized—vying for control of a shattered nation. Assad’s fall doesn’t guarantee freedom; it guarantees chaos.

A Complex History

It’s important to recognize that the Assad regime’s relationship with minority groups, including the Jews, was complicated. My husband, a Syrian Jew, was freed—thanks to God—but also due to a unique relationship between Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, and the chief rabbi of the Syrian Jewish community. As an Alawite, a minority often oppressed by larger forces in the region, Hafez understood the vulnerability of minority groups. While his regime was brutal, this shared understanding led him to grant freedoms to the Jewish community and eventually allow many to leave Syria, sparing them from further persecution.

This isn’t to absolve Assad’s father of his crimes, but to highlight the complexities of leadership in a fractured society. Even a dictator can make decisions that change lives—for better or worse. These moments remind us that history is rarely as simple as it seems, and that every regime, no matter how oppressive, can leave behind a legacy that is difficult to categorize as purely good or evil.

Who Are the Rebels?

The rebel coalition is no monolith. Sure, there are some factions that genuinely want a democratic Syria. But they’re outnumbered—and outgunned—by extremist groups like Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, and various radical Islamist factions. These groups have been waiting for their moment, and now it’s here.

We’ve seen this movie before. Think of Libya after Gaddafi, or Iraq after Saddam. When power vacuums form in the Middle East, they don’t get filled by Jeffersonian democracies. They get filled by warlords, terrorist groups, and proxy forces looking to exploit the instability.

The Rise of ISIS 2.0?

Let’s not forget that ISIS, the so-called Islamic State, grew out of the chaos in Syria and Iraq. For years, Assad’s regime, for all its atrocities, managed to keep ISIS and other extremist groups contained. Now, with Assad on the way out, there’s little to stop these factions from expanding their influence.

In fact, ISIS remnants are already re-organizing in the shadows. The fall of Assad is their signal to come out of hiding, rally support, and try again. Combine that with the arms stockpiles now up for grabs in Syria—including chemical weapons—and you’ve got the perfect recipe for another wave of terror.

A Proxy Playground

Then there’s the international angle. Syria isn’t just about Syrians. It’s a proxy battleground for global powers. Iran has propped up Assad for years and won’t walk away quietly. Russia is entrenched in the region and has its own interests to protect. Meanwhile, Turkey, the U.S., and other players will all scramble to fill the power vacuum.

This isn’t just a Syrian problem; it’s a global one. And every actor in this conflict has their own agenda, none of which involves a stable, democratic Syria.

Celebrating Too Soon

The scenes of jubilation in the streets are understandable. People are desperate for hope, for an end to years of war and suffering. But the harsh reality is this: Assad’s fall is not the end of Syria’s nightmare. It’s the beginning of a new chapter—one that could be even more dangerous.

Without a unified, capable leadership to step in, Syria will descend further into chaos. Extremists will rise. Regional powers will clash. And the people who suffered under Assad will suffer again, this time under the rule of warlords and terrorists.

What Can Be Done?

The international community cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. It must act now to prevent Syria from becoming the next Libya or Iraq. That means supporting moderate factions, securing dangerous weapons stockpiles, and pressuring regional players to avoid escalating the conflict.

But let’s be honest: none of that will be easy. The situation in Syria is a mess, and there are no quick fixes. What’s clear, though, is that celebrating Assad’s fall as a victory for freedom is premature. The real fight for Syria’s future is just beginning—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

As we watch these events unfold, let’s hope the world remembers the lessons of the past. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s that the fall of a dictator is just the start of the story—and often, the next chapter is even darker.