Publication

This briefing analyses the growing significance of the foreign and home-grown jihadists in Syria. It argues that even if the regime falls soon, the jihadist element will have influence in a post-Assad era. If, however, the regime endures, the longer it goes on the more likely the jihadist element will gain in influence. Against all expectations, the al-Qaeda idea could increase in significance. This could have disastrous consequences beyond Syria and makes the need to seek a negotiated solution a top foreign policy priority.