A Pivotal Moment in Uniting Post-Assad Syria eschelhaas Thu, 09/17/2026 - 12:17 Latest Updates Africa Asia-Pacific Europe Latin America & Caribbean Middle East & North Africa United States Global Issues & Institutions My Reading List Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara, right, and Syrian Democratic Forces commander Mazloum Abdi, left, attend a session at the presidential palace in Damascus. Rami Alsayed / NurPhoto / via AFP Commentary / Middle East & North Africa 17 September 2026 15 minutes A Pivotal Moment in Uniting Post-Assad Syria The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which long enjoyed de facto autonomy in north-eastern Syria, have dissolved. But tensions in the region remain high as talks about integration with the central state proceed. Further compromise would set