After the fall of Bashar Assad‘s regime in Syria, the incoming Trump administration faces a complex set of challenges. Despite President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to reduce U.S. involvement overseas, completely disengaging from Syria may not be a viable option.

The interim government led by Hayat Tahrir al Sham has shown little intention of quickly transitioning to an elected government. Instead, it has proposed a lengthy four-year timeline, signaling Abu Mohammad al Jolani’s ambition to maintain power. Jolani, a U.S.-designated terrorist with past ties to al Qaida and the Islamic State group, has claimed he intends to build an inclusive and tolerant government. However, his actions tell a different story. Early moves by HTS suggest a commitment to implementing Sharia law, introducing an Islamist curriculum for children, and appointing officials with ties to extremist ideologies.

The outgoing Biden administration and European allies are uncertain about whether Jolani can be trusted. Western delegations, including those from Germany and the United Kingdom, are considering removing HTS from their terrorist lists — a step that would be........

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