ViewpointsOpinionIt Would Be a Mistake to Label Syria an Ex-terrorist Haven Just YetSavePrintRebel fighters fire in the air during celebrations in the heart of Homs, Syria, on Dec. 8, 2024. Bakar Alkasem/AFP via Getty ImagesPhil Gurski12/9/2024|Updated: 12/9/20240:00X 1CommentaryAssad is gone from Syria. Hip hip hooray. Actually, let’s wait a minute before celebrating.We had a problem loading this article. Please enable javascript or use a different browser. If the issue persists, please visit our help center.Share this articleLeave a commentPhil GurskiAuthorPhil Gurski spent 32 years working at Canadian intelligence agencies and is a specialist in terrorism. He is the author of six books on terrorism.Author’s Selected ArticlesChina’s Political and Cyber Warfare: Why Canada Needs to Wake Up NowSep 08, 2025The Threat From Far-Right Extremists Pales in Comparison to Jihadi TerrorismJul 14, 2025Is Canada Finally Taking the China Technology Threat Seriously?Jul 07, 2025Canada Has to Get Serious About Foreign Threats to CitizensJun 12, 2025