Syria's hereditary republic grew into a mafia-style family regime. The similarities between their 54-year rule and the fictional Corleone family in 'The Godfather' movies are more than skin-deep
A national army was formed in August 1945 from remnants of French Troupes Speciales. In December 2024, the army fell apart amid a lightning HTS-led offensive that toppled the regime.
HTS's recent overthrow of the Assad regime recalls the key role militias played throughout history—from Sudan's recent civil war all the way back to the American Revolution. Al Majalla explains.
The visit of a Syrian president to Saudi Arabia in 1945 ushered in a new era in the region. Will the visit of Syria's new president on 2 February also be the start of a new chapter?
Three-time president Hashim al-Atassi presided over the drafting of Syria's first charter in 1920, its second in 1928, and its third in 1950, earning him the moniker "Father of the Constitution"
There is a huge misconception that Syria's Alawite community was a major benefactor of the Assad regime. But nothing is further from the truth. Al Majalla explains.
In its public statements, the Syrian government has long supported the Palestinian cause. In reality, the Assads sought to stymie the PLO, whose famous leader, Yasser Arafat, never trusted Damascus.
Although it scored some achievements, the Syrian Union was controversial from the start and became a huge headache for the French Mandate, which dissolved it after two years
A flag that has become synonymous with opposition to Assad rule was actually the flag of the first Syrian Republic under French mandate. Al Majalla debunks regime lies about what this flag represents.
The sense that the US may be less committed to its allies' security is prompting a rethink of long-held assumptions, much to the delight of China and Russia
Supporting Israel used to help politicians get elected, but with Americans far more critical of Tel Aviv's influence on US policy, it has now become a liability at the ballot box
It is not just a fancy name for the air-conditioning industry, but an intricate system that begins with power stations and extends to the design of buildings and cities
The Palestinian-German author speaks to Al Majalla about the challenges facing Palestinian voices in Germany and how she engages German readers from within their own cultural and political context