This isn’t as surprising as it seems. Other than in some parts of Lebanon, there is nowhere in the ME, including Israel many would argue, where Christians are safer and more free to practice their faith than in Syria and that has been true for many years.
It is for the futurist doom-and-gloomers. Imagine if the gospel had a real impact in Syria (and surrounding nations) and a significant portion of the population was converted to biblical Christianity.
[Speculation alert!] Even if the futurist rapture occurred, there would be no one left to wage war against Israel in the futurist tribulation.
That would put a real damper on the party.
“It's all hypothesis, of course, but fun to play around with.” (Prof. Groeteschele in Fail Safe)
That is the (non PC) truth.
Syria is a much more open society than we are led to believe. Not that they have our best interests at heart or anything, but they are not like say, Saudi Arabia.