Syria's Abu Mohammad al-Golani rises from student to rebel leader after regime's fall

Abu Mohammad al-Golani, once a quiet media student, has emerged as Syria's de facto leader after a recent offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad's regime. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, played a key role in the rapid military success. Al-Golani's journey from student to rebel commander reflects significant changes in Syria's conflict. He shifted from a jihadist alignment with al-Qaeda to a more pragmatic approach, focusing on local governance and distancing himself from extremist labels. The recent rebel takeover has been marked by relative order, contrasting with the chaos seen in other conflicts. Many Syrians now hope for stability and rebuilding, while al-Golani's ability to govern effectively remains to be seen.