This Month
The secret history of Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa
Is the man once known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani intent on moderating or a brutal strongman?
January
Hezbollah is losing its iron-tight grip over Lebanon
After more than a year of war and turmoil, the organisation is on its shakiest ground in years, as power dynamics are being realigned across the Middle East.
December 2024
Syria’s Islamist rulers appoint first woman to head central bank
The appointment fills a key economic role and comes as the United States and Europe look for a commitment to women’s rights in Syria.
Assad’s wife given ‘50/50 chance’ of survival as leukaemia returns
Asma al-Assad is thought to have flown to Moscow for treatment some time before the Kremlin persuaded her husband to flee in the face of lightning rebel advances.
Bassel was right about the Assads. It couldn’t save him
The 27-year-old had a Fulbright Scholarship and the future was bright. This is the story of one man’s pursuit of freedom for Syria.
How Assad secretly sent 21 planeloads of Syria’s cash to Moscow
The near-broke central bank sent almost $400 million in bulk shipments between 2018 and 2019 to Russia when the dictator was indebted to the Kremlin.
Trump should present Iran with a choice – and a dare
The end of Bashar al-Assad’s wretched regime in Syria unlocks many doors for the United States across Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and Iran.
Softbank woos Trump; Mother of all bubbles; 3 infuriating charts
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Assad says Russia forced him to flee Syria
Former president Bashar al-Assad said he wanted to stay and fight the rebels, but he was trapped on a Russian military base in Syria that was under attack.
The complex task for the rebels looking to rebuild Syria
The new rulers are taking control of institutions hollowed out by corruption and a devastated economy – amid a desire for revenge from some victims of Bashar al-Assad.
US in direct contact with Islamist rebels in Syria
Western and regional officials are seeking to deal with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that overthrew the Assad regime despite its designation as a terrorist group.
After Assad: everything you need to know about what’s next for Syria
Rebels have asserted control in Damascus, but Israel, Turkey and the United States are also involved in the action.
Syria hails global hero executed as Assad fled
Crowds in Damascus have celebrated the legacy of Mazen al-Hamada, the face of the country’s uprising, whose tortured body was found this week.
Have Syrians fought just to replace Assad with an extremist?
The man behind the ouster of Bashar al-Assad has changed his name, his clothes and his brand from global jihadist to nationalist Islamist, but many remain sceptical.
‘We need time’: Syrians in Europe resist calls to return home
Those who fled the 13-year civil war pointed to the political uncertainty after a rebel offensive swept into Damascus over the weekend.
Employment shock; Libs leader loses trial; Forrest’s vital moment
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
How Assad hoodwinked a naive West
Bashar al-Assad, Putin, Gaddafi – the free world too often gets its hopes up about despots.
What now for Assad’s wife? The star banker turned global pariah
Asma al-Assad once worked for JPMorgan in the UK before embracing her new life as Syria’s first lady. Now she’s in exile in Russia.
Netanyahu set to take the stand in long-running corruption trial
The Israeli prime minister is accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of cigars and champagne from a billionaire Hollywood producer.
Rebels vow reforms in race to stabilise Syria
The government is trying to get the state functioning again, while Russia frets over its bases and Israel and Turkey look to increase their leverage.