As reports emerge about Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the Syrian rebel commander, who helped oust strongman Bashar al-Assad, questions surface about his transformation from an al-Qaida operative to a key figure in Syria. Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at a Washington-based think tank, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, discusses Al-Jolani's journey, from fighting against U.S. forces in Iraq to leading fighters in Syria, his rebranding efforts, and his role in Syria's conflict and the broader region. Hussain Abdul-Hussain spoke with VOA's Betty Ayoub on what Al-Jolani's rise means for Syria's neighbors, the U.S. interests, and the Middle East.
