The article discusses the recent offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Aleppo, Syria, where the group has gained control of the city amid shifting alliances in the ongoing civil war. HTS, led by Abu Muhammad al-Dschaulani, presents itself as a moderate alternative to the Islamic State while maintaining stringent control over regions like Idlib. The piece highlights the complexities of terrorism marketing, the decay of hopes for a democratic future in liberated areas, and the potential dire outlook for various demographics under HTS governance.