Yaroslav Trofimov

Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Jessica Mendoza. It's Monday, December 9th. Coming up on the show, a historic moment for Syria and a realignment of power in the Middle East. The largest of the rebel groups that stormed the Syrian capital over the weekend is called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, also known as HTS. The group's leader is Abu Muhammad al-Jolani.

When did you first encounter the name Abu Muhammad al-Jolani?

When did you first encounter the name Abu Muhammad al-Jolani?

When did you first encounter the name Abu Muhammad al-Jolani?

Jolani later returned to his homeland, Syria, with the blessing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Jolani's mission was to establish ISIS there.

Jolani later returned to his homeland, Syria, with the blessing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Jolani's mission was to establish ISIS there.

Jolani later returned to his homeland, Syria, with the blessing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Jolani's mission was to establish ISIS there.

Got it. So just to make sure we have the timeline clear, he started out with Islamic State. He broke with them and then joined al-Qaeda. And then he broke with al-Qaeda as well. Correct. And the reason for that is because he just became increasingly moderate in his politics? Yes.

Got it. So just to make sure we have the timeline clear, he started out with Islamic State. He broke with them and then joined al-Qaeda. And then he broke with al-Qaeda as well. Correct. And the reason for that is because he just became increasingly moderate in his politics? Yes.

Got it. So just to make sure we have the timeline clear, he started out with Islamic State. He broke with them and then joined al-Qaeda. And then he broke with al-Qaeda as well. Correct. And the reason for that is because he just became increasingly moderate in his politics? Yes.

During the civil war that started in 2011, Jolani's group fought against ISIS and al-Qaeda. But it's unclear if Jolani's turn to moderation is genuine, or if he's trying to appease other Syrians in the West as he pursues power. Jolani remains on a U.S. terrorist list, along with his organization, HTS. The militant leader has said his focus was Syria and fighting the Assad regime.

During the civil war that started in 2011, Jolani's group fought against ISIS and al-Qaeda. But it's unclear if Jolani's turn to moderation is genuine, or if he's trying to appease other Syrians in the West as he pursues power. Jolani remains on a U.S. terrorist list, along with his organization, HTS. The militant leader has said his focus was Syria and fighting the Assad regime.

During the civil war that started in 2011, Jolani's group fought against ISIS and al-Qaeda. But it's unclear if Jolani's turn to moderation is genuine, or if he's trying to appease other Syrians in the West as he pursues power. Jolani remains on a U.S. terrorist list, along with his organization, HTS. The militant leader has said his focus was Syria and fighting the Assad regime.

Since 2016, the civil war had been at a standstill, with Assad's government holding onto power, mainly through the support of two key allies, Russia and Iran. Syria holds strategic value. It's a land bridge that links Iran to Hezbollah, the militant group in Lebanon. And Russia has important military bases in Syria, which gives it access to the region.

Since 2016, the civil war had been at a standstill, with Assad's government holding onto power, mainly through the support of two key allies, Russia and Iran. Syria holds strategic value. It's a land bridge that links Iran to Hezbollah, the militant group in Lebanon. And Russia has important military bases in Syria, which gives it access to the region.

Since 2016, the civil war had been at a standstill, with Assad's government holding onto power, mainly through the support of two key allies, Russia and Iran. Syria holds strategic value. It's a land bridge that links Iran to Hezbollah, the militant group in Lebanon. And Russia has important military bases in Syria, which gives it access to the region.

But recently, both Russia and Iran have been embroiled in other conflicts.

But recently, both Russia and Iran have been embroiled in other conflicts.

But recently, both Russia and Iran have been embroiled in other conflicts.

So basically, Assad's biggest international backers, Iran and Russia, are distracted. They have wars that they have to deal with elsewhere.