Assad, Bashar al- – War Watch

al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Assad, Bashar al- | Euphrates River | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | United States Defense and Military Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Raqqa Showcases Syria’s Tumultuous Past
ByCarlotta Gall, Hussam Hammoud and Nanna Heitmann April 25, 2026

The city on the Euphrates, once a cradle of civilization, suffered under a succession of recent rulers. Our visit found it hoping for change.

Read More Raqqa Showcases Syria’s Tumultuous Past
Assad, Bashar al- | Defense and Military Forces | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran-Israel Proxy Conflict | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Why Lebanon’s Government Has Struggled to Contain Hezbollah
ByLeo Sands April 17, 2026

Lebanon’s government has been caught between Western demands to disarm the Shiite Muslim militant group and fears of inflaming sectarian tensions.

Read More Why Lebanon’s Government Has Struggled to Contain Hezbollah
Assad, Bashar al- | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Syria | Tehran (Iran) | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

In New War With Israel, Hezbollah Defies Notion That It Was Crippled
ByAbdi Latif Dahir April 11, 2026April 11, 2026

The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group surprised many with the intensity of its attacks on Israel in the current conflict.

Read More In New War With Israel, Hezbollah Defies Notion That It Was Crippled
Alawite Muslims | Assad, Bashar al- | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kidnapping and Hostages | New York Times | Sex Crimes | Syria

In Syria, Kidnappings of Women and Girls Fuel a Minority Group’s Fears
ByBen Hubbard and Laura Boushnak April 3, 2026April 3, 2026

A Times investigation found that abductions of women and girls from Syria’s Alawite minority were more common, and more brutal, than the government has acknowledged.

Read More In Syria, Kidnappings of Women and Girls Fuel a Minority Group’s Fears
Antoine Kassis | Arms trade | Assad, Bashar al- | Colombia | Drug Abuse and Traffic | Drug Cartels | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | National Liberation Army (Colombia) | Syria | Terrorism

After Sting Operation, Cousin of Bashar al-Assad Convicted in Arms for Drugs Deal
ByEphrat Livni April 2, 2026April 2, 2026

The cousin, Antoine Kassis, was found guilty of conspiracy to support a terrorist group, after trying to sell weapons from the fallen regime to a Colombian militia.

Read More After Sting Operation, Cousin of Bashar al-Assad Convicted in Arms for Drugs Deal
Assad, Bashar al- | Cooking and Cookbooks | Damascus (Syria) | Hotels and Travel Lodgings | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Jews and Judaism | Kosher Foods and Products | Refugees and Displaced Persons | Synagogues | Syria | War and Armed Conflicts

Eating Kosher in the Heart of Syria: Lamb-Stuffed Zucchini but Hold the Yogurt
ByRaja Abdulrahim February 10, 2026February 11, 2026

In the post-Assad era, more Jews are visiting a country that some fled decades ago. One hotel restaurant offers a corner where religious dietary requirements are melded with the local cuisine.

Read More Eating Kosher in the Heart of Syria: Lamb-Stuffed Zucchini but Hold the Yogurt
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Assad, Bashar al- | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Military Bases and Installations | Putin, Vladimir V | Russia | Syria

Putin, Still Harboring Assad, Welcomes New Syrian Leader to Moscow Again
ByPaul Sonne January 28, 2026January 28, 2026

This is the second time that President Vladimir V. Putin has hosted President Ahmed al-Sharaa since the fall of the Russia-backed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Read More Putin, Still Harboring Assad, Welcomes New Syrian Leader to Moscow Again
Assad, Bashar al- | Defense and Military Forces | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
ByEuan Ward January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

Government troops drew closer to Raqqa, the largest city overseen by the Kurds, raising U.S. concerns about the renewal of a wider conflict in the region.

Read More Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Aleppo (Syria) | Assad, Bashar al- | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Minorities | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria’s President Affirms Kurds’ Rights, in Overture to the Minority
ByChristina Goldbaum January 16, 2026January 17, 2026

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s announcement on Friday came after days of fighting between the government and Kurdish forces. On Saturday, those forces began withdrawing from a flashpoint east of Aleppo.

Read More Syria’s President Affirms Kurds’ Rights, in Overture to the Minority
Assad, Bashar al- | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Trump, Donald J

Iran Has Had Protests Before. Will This Time Be Different?
ByAmanda Taub January 16, 2026

Understanding the factors that can topple regimes.

Read More Iran Has Had Protests Before. Will This Time Be Different?