Transformed by the People

Description

In December 2024, to global astonishment, former al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a coalition to overthrow the Syrian regime. This fascinating account unravels HTS’s dramatic transformation since 2019, from a besieged insurgent enclave to a conservative Islamist government.

Drawing on interviews with HTS leaders including Ahmad al-Sharaa himself—as well as diplomats, dissidents and opponents—the authors reveal the group’s pragmatic evolution while ruling Idlib province, in the face of global and local constraints. They uncover how HTS approached religious minorities, redefined its understanding of sharia, and embraced a non-radical conservative society. HTS reshaped its identity not only in northwest Syria, but on the world stage, aligning with NATO member and secular republic Turkey, confronting both al-Qaeda and Islamic State, and marginalising die-hards in its own ranks, in favour of a popular, mosque-based Islam.

This book offers a glimpse into HTS’s startling journey, blending frontline narratives with sharp analysis to decode the group’s success in outmanoeuvring the regime and mapping its own path to power.

Reviews

‘Haenni and Drevon have done the impossible: They stuck with the Syrian tragedy long after others had shifted their attention, focused on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham at a time when it was not yet fashionable, and enjoyed deep familiarity with Syria’s new leaders as everyone else had to play catch up. The result is a gem, a superb, edifying and eye-opening account of the evolution of the jihadist movement and a definitive response to those who wonder whether Sharaa’s conversion and HTS’s deradicalization are genuine or counterfeit. If any policymaker ever questions the utility of field work, you now have your answer: Just give them a copy of Transformed by the People. They won’t regret it.’ — Robert Malley, Yale University, former Middle East advisor to Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden; former CEO of the International Crisis Group; and author, with Hussein Agha, of the forthcoming Tomorrow is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel-Palestine

‘The authors have marshalled a tremendous amount of unique field research to develop a coherent, controversial, and ultimately convincing account of the pragmatic evolution of HTS.’  — March Lynch, Professor of Political Science and Director of Middle East Studies, George Washington University, and author of America’s Middle East: The Ruination of a Region

‘Transformed by the People looks beyond the hysterics of the War on Terror and takes a serious historical view of the forces at play. Being the first westerners to reach out and connect with Hayat Tahrir al Sham and its leadership, Haenni and Drevon—in ground breaking fieldwork—reveal the deeper processes behind al Sharaa’s moderation. This work will stand as an essential guide for any future analysts that aim at real explanation over simple polemics.’ — Martin Smith, PBS Frontline correspondent, interviewed Abu Mohammad al-Jolani for his documentary, ‘The Jihadist’

‘Haenni and Drevon have written a timely and original book that helps illuminate a critical issue: how and why the new leaders of Syria transformed from jihadists into pragmatists.’ — Peter Bergen, author of The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden

‘Those curious about Syria, its recent history, and its new transitional government will find all the necessary information and food for thought in this book. The history and transformation of HTS are presented meticulously, insightfully, and analytically. Black and white are passé; it is the shades of grey that strengthen our understanding of this enigmatic and fascinating movement and its leaders. For those who need or want to engage with the new Syria politically, this book is essential.’ — Monika Schmutz Kirgöz, Middle East specialist and Assistant State Secretary, MENA Division, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland

‘Rather than labelling HTS in the received terms of analysis as being “liberal”, “secular”, or even “realist”, the authors argue that it represents a new and uncharted political experiment which moves beyond such categories but has not yet established its own.’ — Faisal Devji, Beit Professor of Global and Imperial History, University of Oxford

‘An extraordinary book that dissects a complex phenomenon in a provocative and original manner. It does not dwell on paradoxes but shows concretely how a jihadist leader can evolve into a responsible national politician without denying himself. It is a rare example analysis of political sociology based on in-depth fieldwork that manages to avoid value judgments and ideological polemics.’ — Olivier Roy, Professor, European University Institute, and author of The Crisis of Culture: Identity Politics and the Empire of Norms

‘Transformed by the People is a vital resource for understanding the remarkable journey of this formerly terrorist organisation into a major, and quite possibly stabilising, force not just in Syria but the entire Middle East.’ — Ambassador James F. Jeffrey, former US Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS

Author(s)

Patrick Haenni PhD specialises in social movements and the state in the Middle East. He has spent many years carrying out on-the-ground research in Syria.

Jerome Drevon PhD is Senior Analyst in Jihad and Modern Conflict at the International Crisis Group and a research associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute. He has spent many years carrying out on-the-ground research in Syria.