Jerome Drevon's Avatar

Jerome Drevon

@jeromed.bsky.social

Senior analyst on Jihad and Modern Conflict at International Crisis Group (ICG). Associate at Graduate Institute Geneva. Interested in armed groups. Books on Jihad in Egypt and Syria (openaccess). Forthcoming book on HTS

3,908 Followers  |  370 Following  |  95 Posts  |  Joined: 20.09.2023  |  2.0599

Latest posts by jeromed.bsky.social on Bluesky

The book is finally out in the US too www.amazon.com/Transformed-...

17.10.2025 09:33 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The book is finally out in the US too www.amazon.com/Transformed-...

17.10.2025 09:33 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 13    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

Vous vous demandez โ€œOรน en est la Syrie" ?

Rejoignez-nous le ๐Ÿ“… 3 novembre, 12h30, ร  lโ€™Institut et en ligne pour un รฉchange sur les dynamiques actuelles, HTS, rรฉvolutions et transitions.

Avec @jeromed.bsky.social and Patrick Haenni, co-auteurs de Transformed by the People.

๐Ÿ‘‰ shorturl.at/H0sji

16.10.2025 12:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Find CCDP community associates in the latest research bulletin:

โ‡๏ธ @jeromed.bsky.social
โ‡๏ธ @jenniferthornquest.bsky.social
โ‡๏ธ @elenabutti.bsky.social
โ‡๏ธ @sarahellmuller.bsky.social
โ‡๏ธ Reza Mehraeen
โ‡๏ธ Khalid Tinasti
โ‡๏ธ Robert Watkins

10.10.2025 13:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Transformed by the People: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's Road to Power in Syria Amazon.com: Transformed by the People: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's Road to Power in Syria eBook : Haenni, Patrick, Drevon, Jerome: Books

The book draws on dozens of interviews with al-Sharaa, his associates who later became ministers, dissidents and opponents, as well as diplomats.
www.amazon.com/Transformed-... www.amazon.co.uk/Transformed-...

22.09.2025 14:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

In addition to the typos, also forgot the main argument!
The bookโ€™s main argument is that HTS was "transformed by the people". The constraints of Idlibโ€™s social context and of the international environment before the 2024 takeover of Idlib forced the group to change, in very lasting ways

22.09.2025 14:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The book is available in Europe, on Kindle in Europe and the US, and in the US in early November

22.09.2025 14:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

We conclude with an epilogue, written in spring 2025, warning of the rise of a new populist trend in Syria, one driven from the bottom up, seeking supremacy and revenge. This emerging dynamic signals a shift that could reshape the post-HTS landscape in unpredictable and destabilising ways

22.09.2025 14:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

We also examine the tensions in Idlib before 2024: the rise of a populist current pushing for stricter implementation of Islamic law, and how HTS responded. Even more telling was HTSโ€™s handling of last yearโ€™s protest movement, which demanded political opening, reforms, and an end to abuses.

22.09.2025 14:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

We also explore HTSโ€™s Salafism in depth showing how, without abandoning Salafism, the group stripped it of most of its political implications. This enables us to analyse HTSโ€™s religious governance, and its approach to religious minorities, in essentially non-religious, even โ€œsecularised,โ€ terms.

22.09.2025 14:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The book details how HTS imposed itself over rival factions - especially mainstream Islamists like Ahrar al-Sham - waged war on al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, and brought foreign fighters under its control.

22.09.2025 14:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

In the conclusion, we also compare HTSโ€™s trajectory to European far-right movements that sought to โ€œde-demoniseโ€ themselves, showing how strategies of rebranding and normalisation extend well beyond Syria (the comparison might not please everyone!)

22.09.2025 14:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

This change proved lasting and political, with no possible return though, paradoxically, it was largely unintended at the outset.
Rather than comparing HTS to other Islamist movements, we place it in the context of a revolutionary situation par excellence: the last phase of the French Revolution.

22.09.2025 14:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Transformed by the People: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's Road to Power in Syria Amazon.com: Transformed by the People: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's Road to Power in Syria eBook : Haenni, Patrick, Drevon, Jerome: Books

The book draws on dozens of interviews with al-Sharaa, his associates who later became ministers, dissidents and opponents, as well as diplomats.
www.amazon.com/Transformed-... www.amazon.co.uk/Transformed-...

22.09.2025 14:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The arrival of Ahmad al-Sharaa in NYC for the UNGA is a timely moment to highlight our new book, published a few weeks ago in Europe and in a month ago in the US (already on Kindle). What lessons can we draw from the past? A threat

22.09.2025 14:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Our book is finally out in the UK and Europe! (also in a week or so on the kindle in the US, and early November for the hardback in North America). You have read parts of the first chapters on google book: www.google.fr/books/editio...

27.08.2025 06:51 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 8    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
A stack of copies of Transformed by the People with the Somerset House courtyard visible in the background. The cover features an image of Ahmad al-Sharaa waving to crowds. There is white and yellow text that reads 'Transformed by the People: Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham's Road to Power in Syria. Patrick Haenni & Jerome Drevon.'

A stack of copies of Transformed by the People with the Somerset House courtyard visible in the background. The cover features an image of Ahmad al-Sharaa waving to crowds. There is white and yellow text that reads 'Transformed by the People: Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham's Road to Power in Syria. Patrick Haenni & Jerome Drevon.'

Congratulations Patrick Haenni and @jeromed.bsky.social, Transformed by the People is out now๐Ÿ‘

โ€˜Essential reading.โ€™ @irishtimes.com

โ€˜Haenni and Drevon have done the impossibleโ€ฆ a gem, a superb, edifying and eye-opening account.โ€™โ€”Robert Malley

25% off w/code TRANSFORMED25โžก๏ธ tinyurl.com/mb4nrc7n

26.08.2025 09:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 11    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3

Really cool work out by @andresuribe.bsky.social and colleauges on estimating the prevalence of criminal governance in Latin America โคต๏ธ

17.08.2025 07:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
A thoroughly engrossing account of the Iranian revolution and an essential read on post-Assad Syria King of Kings: The Fall of the Shah, the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the Unmaking of the Modern Middle East by Scott Anderson & Transformed by the People: Hayat Tahrir al-Shamโ€™s Road to Power in Syria

The first generous review of our book @irishtimes.com
"impressive study of the group, based on a wide range of detailed interviews, including with Shaara. [The book] is probably the best of its kind in English to date on the subject and is essential reading" www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...

12.08.2025 12:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
The end of Jihadi Salafism? The religious governance of HTS, the Post-Jihadi rebel ruler in Northern Syria Jihadis differentiate themselves from other Muslims by their demand for an Islamic state based on their interpretation of Islamic law as well as their legitimization of violence against Muslim dome...

New article by @jeromed.bsky.social et al., The end of Jihadi Salafism? The religious governance of HTS, the Post-Jihadi rebel ruler in Northern Syria www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

18.05.2025 14:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Trump to Lift Sanctions on Syria and Meet With New President President Trump, on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, said he made the decision after speaking to the Saudi crown prince. The president is trying to drum up Saudi investment in the U.S.

As POTUS meets Syrian President Al-Sharaa, the world asks how an Al-Qaeda affiliated jihadi group evolved into the movement rebuilding Syria post-Assad. Find out how in 'Transformed by the People' by @jeromed.bsky.social & Patrick Haenni. Pre-order here โžก๏ธ tinyurl.com/mr9w9tex

tinyurl.com/4cbrp9de

14.05.2025 08:18 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

So excited to see this out. Stathis and I presented a first version of this paper at APSA in 2010.

28.04.2025 15:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 41    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Syriaโ€™s Uncertain New Order | Crisis Group Can Sharaโ€™s Government Unite a Country Ready to Explode?

NEW OP-ED | Syriaโ€™s Uncertain New Order

Many are worried about the possibility of a return to a one-party stateโ€”much like that of the Assad regime. But many Syrians perceive their new leader, correctly, as a radical pragmatist, writes @jeromed.bsky.social.

www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...

14.04.2025 15:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Syriaโ€™s Uncertain New Order Can Sharaโ€™s government unite a country ready to explode?

Read @jeromed.bsky.social on the factors that will make it more difficult for Syriaโ€™s new government to consolidate its hold over the countryโ€”and to get all of the countryโ€™s constituent groups on board:

13.04.2025 18:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 19    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Syriaโ€™s Uncertain New Order Can Sharaโ€™s government unite a country ready to explode?

โ€ฆ Sharaa is seen as a radical pragmatist, willing to make concessions and abandon alliances in pursuit of power.

But it does not seem Syria will again become a one-state autocracy, even if that were an outcome that Shara wanted, @jeromed.bsky.social argues.
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/syrias...

11.04.2025 11:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Syriaโ€™s Uncertain New Order Can Sharaโ€™s government unite a country ready to explode?

On the nature of the new Syrian government and its challenges www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/syrias... @crisisgroup.org @foreignaffairs.com

11.04.2025 10:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 23    ๐Ÿ” 13    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
A Glimmer of Peace in Syriaโ€™s North East | Crisis Group An accord between the interim government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces could mark a turn for the better in the countryโ€™s post-Assad transition. In this Q&A, Crisis Group exp...

NEW Q&A | A Glimmer of Peace in Syriaโ€™s North East

An accord between Damascusโ€™s interim government and the Kurdish-led SDF could mark a shift in Syriaโ€™s post-Assad transition. Crisis Group experts explain what the deal contains and what it means for the region.

www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...

31.03.2025 07:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Crisis Group's last briefing on Syria after the downfall of the Assad regime

31.03.2025 10:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

@jeromed.bsky.social makes an important point in this @matnashed.bsky.social article: www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

If Damascus can't pay salaries to fighters, then armed groups may end up compensated with territorial fiefdoms from which they farm revenues.

27.03.2025 18:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 12    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

@jeromed is following 17 prominent accounts