Syria After Assad: History, Identity, and the Search for Stability

Rickey Bevington, President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, moderates a conversation with Rana Shabb of The Carter Center on Syria’s history, evolving identity, political transition, and path toward long-term stability.

Published: September 23, 2026

The World Affairs Council of Atlanta recently hosted Syria After Assad: History, Identity, and the Search for Stability, bringing together our community for a timely virtual conversation examining Syria’s political transition and what the country’s future could mean for the broader Middle East.

The program featured Rana Shabb, Associate Director for the Middle East and for Data and Analysis in The Carter Center’s Conflict Resolution Program, in conversation with World Affairs Council of Atlanta President Rickey Bevington. Shabb brings extensive experience working on peace-promoting initiatives in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine, as well as a background in U.S. policy toward the Middle East. 

Syria at a Historic Turning Point

The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in 2024 ended more than five decades of Assad family rule and marked a historic turning point for Syria. But the end of one political era has also raised difficult questions about what comes next: how Syria will be governed, how its national identity will evolve, and whether the country can achieve lasting stability after years of devastating conflict. 

The Council’s conversation placed those questions within Syria’s broader historical context. For centuries, the country’s location, cultural and religious diversity, and strategic importance have placed it at the intersection of competing regional and international interests. Understanding that history remains essential to understanding the challenges facing Syria today. 

Identity, Reconstruction, and Regional Dynamics

The discussion explored Syria’s complex religious and cultural landscape alongside the consequences of prolonged conflict and the challenges of political and economic reconstruction.

The program also considered the interests of regional and global powers as Syria navigates its transition. What happens within Syria will have implications beyond its borders, making the country’s path toward stability an important question for the future of the Middle East. 

Continuing the Conversation

Programs like Syria After Assad reflect the World Affairs Council of Atlanta’s mission to connect our community with experts and create opportunities for informed dialogue on consequential global issues.

We thank Rana Shabb for sharing her expertise, Rickey Bevington for moderating the conversation, and everyone who joined us for the program.

Watch the full program recording on the World Affairs Council of Atlanta YouTube Channel.

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