Rather than coming out of nowhere, the dynamics that led to the HTS rebels' offensive in Syria have been building for a long time. The post The Rebel Offensive in Syria Was Hiding in Plain Sight appeared first on World Politics Review.

The 13-year civil war in Syria has roared back into prominence with a surprise rebel offensive on one of Syria’s largest cities and ancient business hub.

Why it matters: Rebels last week reclaimed nearly all of Aleppo, Syria's second city, in the most significant gains in years by opposition forces. The rebels have Damascus in their sights, and the ability of Assad's forces to repel them — with their patrons Russia and Iran bogged down by other conflicts — suddenly seems uncertain.