Overview

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified on May 20 that Syria's transitional government is at risk of collapsing within weeks, potentially triggering a renewed civil war.
• The warning follows a series of violent attacks on Alawite and Druze minorities, highlighting deep sectarian divisions exacerbated by Assad's legacy.
• President Trump recently lifted Assad-era sanctions and met with transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa to signal US support for the fragile government.
• Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously on a US wanted list for militant ties, has faced scrutiny over his leadership, with Rubio noting transitional leaders failed FBI background checks.
• Rubio emphasized the need for international engagement, acknowledging the risks of failure but asserting that non-engagement guarantees instability.