Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa faces the challenge of unifying the country after years of civil war. After days of deadly sectarian violence, a diplomatic triumph united a powerful force in the country's northeast with the new national army. However, analysts warn that Syria still has a long way to go and the risks of sliding back into civil war or partitioning the country along ethnic and sectarian lines remain. Building a stable, pluralistic society is crucial to convincing Western countries to lift economic sanctions. The recent violence appears to have expedited a deal to bring the Kurdish-led armed group under the umbrella of the national army.