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Bashar al-Assad

New Lines’ Best of Syria Reporting

The Fall of the House of Assad and the Dawn of a New Syria

In this special issue of the Week in Review, we dive into the New Lines archives for a look back at some of our best essays on Syria

With Assad in Moscow, Putin Scrambles To Save Face — and His Syrian Bases

Do Svidaniya, Syria

Moscow finds itself in an awkward position, striving to both curtail reputational damage and make inroads with the Syrian rebels, all with the ousted Assads now living under its roof.

Good for the Jews or Bad for the Jews? Israel’s Media on Bashar al-Assad’s Departure

Good for the Jews or Bad for the Jews? Israel’s Media on Bashar al-Assad’s Departure

Israeli media coverage of historic turning points in the region has often been entirely inward-looking, but commentary on the fall of the Assad regime in Syria offered moments of compassion and broader perspective — in stark contrast to that on Gaza.

In the Balkans, ‘Stability’ May Not Be the Answer

In the Balkans, ‘Stability’ May Not Be the Answer

For decades, the West has pioneered “stabilocracy” in the Balkans, a pernicious brand of diplomacy that prefers agreement to reform. That diplomacy was exported to their relations with Kremlin — with the extreme, bloody conclusion being the war in Ukraine.

Putin’s Military Adventures, From Syria to Ukraine — with Anand Gopal

Putin’s Military Adventures, From Syria to Ukraine — with Anand Gopal

Award-winning journalist Anand Gopal joins New Lines’ Faisal Al Yafai to talk about how the invasion of Ukraine compares with Vladimir Putin’s war in Syria and ask why Syrians never received the same support in the face of Russian atrocities.

A Syrian Activist as I Knew Him

A Syrian Activist as I Knew Him

For the world, Raed was one of Syria’s most prominent activists, known for eye-catching protest banners and influential “Radio Fresh” broadcasts. For me, he was the last connection to the pioneering uprising, and since his death, I stopped attending any events on its anniversary.

Russia’s Long History of Bombing Hospitals

Russia’s Long History of Bombing Hospitals

A weekly review of news, essays, podcast and more from New Lines. The week of Monday Mar. 5 - Friday Mar. 11, 2022.