A Decade in Power, part 3: In Grip of Poverty and Religion. Social trends under Bashar al-Assad

Under Bashar al-Assad, Syrian society has undergone significant change. In addition to Islam’s growing influence, there is a widened gulf between the classes. While the staunchly secular authorities are becoming wary of the growing religiosity and fight it with determination, the state’s capacity to provide social welfare for the growing number of poor seems weak. [...]