Political history across the globe has repeatedly demonstrated the perils of neglecting the concerns of small or marginalized groups, whether defined by sect, ethnicity, gender, or other divisions. From the colonial redrawing of borders to modern conflicts, ignoring minority issues has often set the stage for foreign intervention, occupation, and even long-lasting civil wars. In Syria, a nation with a rich and ancient history, the treatment and role of minorities have become focal points in the post-Assad era, raising questions about sovereignty, unity, and the role of international actors in shaping the country’s future.

Throughout history, large political entities have frequently been built on the subjugation of smaller groups. The nation-state, a relatively modern concept emerging in 19th-century Europe, was designed to unify diverse populations under a common identity. However, even within established democracies, irredentist and separatist movements have persisted. Today, far-right and isolationist forces in Europe, such as in Italy, are reigniting debates over national unity, migration, and identity.

Similarly, in regions like Asia and Africa, colonialism’s legacy continues to fracture societies. Examples include the Amazigh of North Africa, the Baloch of South Asia, and the Fulani across the Sahel. These groups’ struggles for recognition and autonomy echo the dilemmas faced by the Kurds in the Near East and Palestinian Arabs displaced by the Israeli occupation. Syria, too, has long been home to a diverse........

© Blitz