Ahmed al-Shara has shifted shapes many times during his ascent from rebel commander to national leader. This week, he is expected to be the first Syrian president to address the U.N. General Assembly in 58 years.
Ahmed al-Shara has shifted shapes many times during his ascent from rebel commander to national leader. This week, he is expected to be the first Syrian president to address the U.N. General Assembly in 58 years.
Syrian and Israeli officials have been holding talks about security arrangements along their shared border as part of U.S.-mediated efforts to reset decades of hostility.
The ex-rebels now in control of Syria say they are ending rule by fear, overhauling the security and prison systems, and holding elections. But concerns over sectarianism and inclusivity remain.
The strikes near the capital, Damascus, were the latest Israeli military intervention in the country since a new government came to power.
A bipartisan pair of members of Congress made the first official U.S. visit there since the fall of the Assad government, arguing that it was time to permanently lift American sanctions.
A bipartisan pair of members of Congress made the first official U.S. visit there since the fall of the Assad government, arguing that it was time to permanently lift American sanctions.
The talks in Paris brokered by the United States were the latest effort to reduce tensions between the two longstanding foes, and came after Israel launched airstrikes on the Syrian capital last month.
An inquiry found that members of the new government’s forces took part in killing Syrian civilians during sectarian fighting in March, but found no evidence that they acted on government orders.
Many in the capital worry that the secular freedoms they enjoyed under the Assad regime are under threat from the new Islamist government.