Syria's rebel leaders have control of the country. Now what?

The new Islamist-led government promises moderation, but officials aren't committing to such issues as women's rights or free elections

- Jared Malsin

Victorious Islamist rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa spends his days conferring with advisors and meeting a stream of visitors—U.S. diplomats and leaders from Turkey, Jordan, Qatar and Syria's religious sects. They all want to know the same thing: How does Sharaa plan to govern the war-battered nation of 23 million people?

Sharaa, a guerrilla fighter who led the campaign that toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad, is seeking an answer. So far, the U.S.-designated terrorist has shed the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, which drew the world's attention, and swapped combat fatigues for a suit.

Sharaa fought with al Qaeda in Iraq as an anti-U.S. jihadist and, in recent years, has sought to recast himself as a more moderate figure, promoting a pragmatic brand of Islamist politics. He now counsels patience.

"People have big ambitions, but today we must think realistically," he told reporters after the rebels' swift victory.

Across Syria's largest cities, and civilian authorities also are stretched thin.

HTS political affairs bureau member Mohamed Khaled described in a briefing with reporters the group's to-do list: Merge rebel groups into a national army, bring back Syrian refugees, write a constitution and staff government ministries.

Khaled said he and Sharaa envision a yearlong transition to lay the framework for a new government. Such hot-button social issues as women's dress codes, the treatment of LGBT people and alcohol consumption will be discussed, they said, and elections will have to wait.

More broadly, Syria's course will shape the influence of Russia, which has military bases in the country that serve as its foothold in the Middle East, and Iran, which sent militia forces to back the Assad regime and has long used Syria as an arena to exercise regional power.