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A lot happens every day. Alliances shift, leaders change, and conflicts erupt. With In Brief, we’ll help you make sense of it all. Each week, experts will dig deep on a single issue happening in the world to help you better understand it.***The Dec. 8 fall of the Assad regime is creating a new political and military landscape in Syria, with significant implications for ISIL and the coalition against it. As Hayat Tahrir al-Sham seeks to consolidate power in the wake of its stunning victory, we asked four experts to discuss what the recent upheaval in the country means for the Islamic State.Read more belowKaren M. Sudkamp Senior Researcher, RAND Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate SchoolIt is unlikely that the Syrian Democratic Forces or the U.S.-led coalition will be prevented from continuing counter-ISIL operations, at least in the near term. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader Ahmed al Sharaa primarily will be focused on establishing control, security, and governance in former regime areas in Damascus and western Syria. Deposed President Bashar al Assad largely ignored ISIL and tacitly allowed the United States to manage the ISIL threat.In the medium to long term, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham likely will ensure that ISIL is rooted out from Syria. Animosity remains high between the two groups and often turns violent. How that process unfolds — and who drives it — will have significant defense and humanitarian aid implications for the United States.Will Washington collaborate with a government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to counter ISIL? How will the U.S. relationship with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Syrian Democratic Forces change? Will the humanitarian situation of ISIL families remaining in displaced persons camps be solved? And what justice processes will be implemented for presumed ISIL fighters remaining in Syrian