Bashar al-Assad has become a figure of the past, and the Assad family now stands in the court of history. Brutality cannot halt the march of time. History always has and always will deliver its judgments. People may be oppressed, but they cannot be defeated. Ultimately, they prevail against tyrants.
The fall of the regime was inevitable, but Syria remains a precious gift carried by its people from the end of 2024 into the dawn of 2025. The weeks that have passed since Assad’s escape and the collapse of his regime following 11 days that shook Syria and the region have felt like an eternity to Syrians.
The pain from seeing Assad’s prisons—including the dank innards of the “human slaughterhouse” that was Saydnaya—remains heavy. The jubilation of millions celebrating in Syria’s squares echoed with relief.
To the next phase
With the ‘Republic of Captagon’ (in reference to the drug Assad’s cronies produced by the million) now at an end, Syrians can address the huge and pressing challenges they face, especially those left by the old regime.
New leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has said the core principle is that, after the Syrian revolution triumphed, Syria should not be governed with a revolutionary mindset. Instead, it must adopt a state-centric approach.
Another foundational principle is for Syrians to reclaim their decision-making power and Syria’s sovereignty. But it must do so amidst fierce international struggles and shifting regional dynamics.
For our January 2025 cover story, Al Majalla chose the theme: ‘The Struggle for Syria.’ This title is inspired by the first book of the late British author Patrick Seale, in which he encapsulated how Syria became a battleground for Arab and foreign influence.
Seale later wrote a second book praising Hafez al-Assad, titled Assad: The Struggle for the Middle East. Both eras have now concluded. Syria has transitioned from player to playing field, home to five foreign militaries: the US in the north-east, Russia and Iran in the centre and west, Türkiye in the north, and Israel in the south.
Establishing a footing
Al-Sharaa’s statements make it clear that he opposes the division of Syria, which is entering a new phase, where the struggle both ‘for’ and ‘within’ the country intensifies. This comprehensive report delves into all aspects, featuring insights from experts and journalists, who have analysed the angles, not least from Tehran.
Iran and its militias have suffered strategic losses in Syria and Lebanon, leading to the collapse of the ‘Axis of Resistance.’ Today, it is striving to solidify its presence in Iraq. Russia, meanwhile, has lost its footing in Syria, but seeks to secure the future of its two military bases in Tartus and Latakia—key to its projected influence in the Middle East.
