Bashar al-Assad – War Watch

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Out of the ruins: will Aleppo ever be rebuilt? – podcast
By February 27, 2026

Years of civil war have turned whole areas of the city into rows of empty husks. But after the fall of Assad, Syrians have returned to their old homes determined to rebuildBy Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. Read by Mo Ayoub Continue reading…

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria

‘We were forced to burn bodies’: will survivors of the Tadamon massacres see justice? – podcast
By January 23, 2026

During the conflict, the Damascus suburb became a killing field. But some of Assad’s henchmen are still around – and even working with the new governmentBy Melvyn Ingleby. Read by Selva Rasalingam Continue reading…

Read More ‘We were forced to burn bodies’: will survivors of the Tadamon massacres see justice? – podcast
Aleppo | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

Not all efforts to rebuild Aleppo are local | Letters
ByGuardian staff January 22, 2026

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture has restored eight key areas of the medieval souk, notes Luis Monréal Your long read article is a powerful account of the impacts of Syria’s civil war on the city of Aleppo (Out of the ruins: will Aleppo ever be rebuilt?,…

Read More Not all efforts to rebuild Aleppo are local | Letters
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

‘Butcher of Hama’ Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of deposed Syrian ruler, dies aged 88
ByAgence France-Press in Damascus January 21, 2026

Known for role in brutal suppression in the 1980s, the former Defence Brigades head has died after a brief illnessAssad family live in Russian luxury as Bashar ‘brushes up on ophthalmology’Rifaat al-Assad, who was the uncle of the deposed Syrian ruler …

Read More ‘Butcher of Hama’ Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of deposed Syrian ruler, dies aged 88
Aleppo | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

Out of the ruins: will Aleppo ever be rebuilt?
ByGhaith Abdul-Ahad January 20, 2026

Years of civil war have turned whole areas of the city into rows of empty husks. But after the fall of Assad, Syrians have returned to their old homes determined to rebuildThe kebab stall stood in the shadow of a building whose three upper floors had b…

Read More Out of the ruins: will Aleppo ever be rebuilt?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria

Syria president claims ‘victory for all’ as ceasefire with Kurdish-led force announced
ByAssociated Press January 19, 2026

Government’s truce with Syrian Democratic Forces follows advance on Kurdish-held areas amid struggle to control entire countryThe Syrian government on Sunday announced a ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), taking almost full control of t…

Read More Syria president claims ‘victory for all’ as ceasefire with Kurdish-led force announced
Asma al-Assad | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Europe | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Russia | Syria | World news

What the Assads did next – podcast
By January 15, 2026

What kind of life is the deposed former president of Syria and his family living in Russia? With Pjotr Sauer and Will ChristouWith sprawling mansions, heavily armed guards and high walls, Rublyovka is considered the most prestigious place to be in Russ…

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

Best of 2025: ‘What reconciliation? What forgiveness?’: Syria’s deadly reckoning – podcast
By December 29, 2025

Every Monday and Friday for the rest of December we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2025, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it.From October: Over a few brutal days i…

Read More Best of 2025: ‘What reconciliation? What forgiveness?’: Syria’s deadly reckoning – podcast
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

Best of 2025: ‘What reconciliation? What forgiveness?’: Syria’s deadly reckoning – podcast
By December 29, 2025

Every Monday and Friday for the rest of December we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2025, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it.From October: Over a few brutal days i…

Read More Best of 2025: ‘What reconciliation? What forgiveness?’: Syria’s deadly reckoning – podcast
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The best of the long read in 2025
ByMiddle East and north Africa | The Guardian December 23, 2025

Our 20 favourite pieces of in-depth reporting, essays and profiles from the yearVictor Pelevin made his name in 90s Russia with scathing satires of authoritarianism. But while his literary peers have faced censorship and fled the country, he still sell…

Read More The best of the long read in 2025