Description
Syria has witnessed many changes since the collapse of the Baathist regime in late 2024 and the formation of a transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Yet this paper argues that the approach used to manage church-state relations has remained constant even if the state actor has changed. Using a neo-millet framework which implies that the state deals with religious minority groups through representation by church leadership, I show that the three pillars of the historical millet approach – autonomy, recognition and protection - remain relevant in post-Baathist Syria. By analysing speeches of the three patriarchs resident in Damascus – Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Syriac Orthodox - between December 2024 and July 2025, I argue that the neo-millet approach has proven adaptable, flexible and enduring. However, it remains an unequal relationship dependent upon the state to fulfil its obligations and hinders Christian inclusion as individual citizens, instead placing religious leaders as political representatives of their communities.
