Future Syria: Islamist or Secular?

I suggest a closer look at what we brand here as Islamist. Political movements and government carrying Islamic agenda differ greatly from right to left. Let's forget the Sharia based laws. Because we'll still be depending on Sharia in any form of government. Actually we are, in the current secular system in Syria, concerning marriage, inheritance, custodianship and all kinds of social stuff.

I think an Islamist government views are ultimately decided by the public local version of the faith, rather than by the books. The great differences in the nature of the Islamist administrations in the occupied Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Iran are in the result of the different realities ( can you imagine Hamas claiming people need moral police?) Ideology seem to have no longer enough margins to play around today.

So it's quite logical to expect a still relatively secular Syria in the future, as the Syrian people today are more concerned about the economical hard facts than the sentimental wish to live under an Islamic brand. But, to say the least, it's sure tempting.

It will all depend on how the role and shape of secular opposition today ( primarily Communists and human rights societies) will evolve. Will they be able to counter the weight of the Islamic dream? Of course, the current regime wants to be the only one to be capable of that. And the West usually prefers to leave its options open.