The jihadist rebels who toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad are aiming to establish a unified and inclusive country, but achieving this goal after 14 years of civil war poses significant challenges. For Syria's Kurdish minority, who have been America's closest ally in the country, the quest for a new order is entering a potentially more difficult phase.
Throughout the civil war, Kurdish fighters have defended against various armed factions, collaborated with the U.S. to defeat the Islamic State group, and created a largely autonomous region in Syria's oil-rich east. However, the recent rise of Sunni Arab rebels, supported by Turkey, threatens the gains made by the Kurdish population. This situation could make it challenging for the Kurds to secure a place in the new Syria and may prolong the conflict.
