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That is the question now facing Syria's transitional government, as it seeks to undo half a century of kleptocratic Baathist misrule following a stunning rebel offensive in late that saw the Assad regime fall. Still, few could deny that things in Syria are on a better track with Bashar Al-Assad gone, a leader reliant on drug production and fleecing Syrians at home and abroa d for income, and whose methods of governance relied on instilling fear in the population and patronage.
Syria Insight: Assad's rampant corruption leads to his downfall. Among the current jubilation and relief, many Syrians are still taking a sober and cautious assessment of the new administration, headed by HTS leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who proclaimed himself transitional president on Wednesday, knowing that Syria's laundry list of problems is long but at least they have a stake in the future of the country. Al-Sharaa is still riding high on a wave of jubilation garnered by his key role in toppling Assad, making him something of a Che Guevara-like figure among some Syrians with odes penned about him and his picture adorning many social media profiles.
But ultimately his future rests on improving living conditions and security for all Syrians, as well as enhancing political plurality - measures that could give Syrians hope for the future, and lead to an end of US and EU sanctions. Al-Sharaa has offered little in the way of a roadmap out of the muddle, and few know what shape or form governance will take; whether it will be an Islamic-style consultative assembly or full parliamentary democracy is unknown.
