Bashar al-Assad
What Assad Taught Iran
Like the Assad regime that it assisted, the Islamic Republic has responded to mass protests by committing atrocities and claiming that protesters are foreign-backed “terrorists and spies.” The parallels indicate how far Iran is willing to go to ensure its survival.
Syria’s Lost Children
During 14 years of war that claimed more than half a million lives and displaced 13 million people, the Assad regime disappeared over 150,000 Syrians — including the children of its opponents. The systematic abuse they faced is still not being adequately investigated.
How the Damascus Dossier Investigation Failed Families of Syria’s Forcibly Disappeared
When a consortium of international journalists published stories on a leak including 33,000 photographs of detainees killed by the Bashar al-Assad regime, they expected praise. Instead, families of the forcibly disappeared condemned it as exploitative and harmful, raising urgent questions about journalistic ethics, accountability and who investigations like this are really for.
Syria’s New Order Is Not As Fragile As It Seems
The people now running Syria didn’t just replace Assad — they inherited the revolutionary energy that toppled him. That’s what makes the country’s new order both resilient and paranoid.
The Syrians in European Limbo
The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime brought euphoria to millions of Syrians in exile, but also created political and legal uncertainty. As some European states suspend asylum claims or discuss revoking refugee status, activists are campaigning for temporary return permits that would allow Syrians to reconnect without losing protection.
The Disintegration of Assad’s Army
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s army was the result of multiple political, military and social factors. This insider account details its final days and the broader implications for Syria and the region.
Syria’s New Comedy Scene
A group of Syrian comedians is making use of the country’s new freedoms to entertain audiences, while holding a mirror up to society at a moment of rapid change.