Syria

Having long dreamt of a free homeland, Syrians who had to live abroad for years talk to Al Majalla about the land they left, their conflicting emotions about coming home, and their hopes for Syria

The lack of transparency threatens to derail Syria's aspirations for a democratic and inclusive future, transforming what should be a period of hope and progress into one of missed opportunities

Watching Gabriel García Márquez's epic on TV as Syria awoke from its 'eternal' slumber, Assad's ouster felt like the scene the Colombian writer forgot to write in his most famous novel

'Ghost Trail' is a timely French thriller about Assad-era atrocities, revealing what went on in the regime's darkest corners and how justice can be done by those determined enough to find the culprits

The Assad family's 54-year rule over Syria has collapsed, as has the Iranian axis. In control of Damascus, HTS and its allied factions can write a new chapter in Syrian history.

The Assad family's 54-year rule over Syria has collapsed, as has the Iranian axis. In control of Damascus, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allied factions can write a new chapter in Syrian history

Destroying most of Syria's defence assets, Tel Aviv has left its northern neighbour vulnerable to the same instability that followed the dissolution of the Iraqi army. That suits Netanyahu nicely

Now in his ninth decade, this pillar of Arabic TV and theatre has had his fair share of run-ins with the authorities, not least those of the Assad regime. Now it has gone, 'a weight has been lifted'

While financial obligations outlive regimes, Damascus may be able to show that some of the $7.6bn in loans from Tehran was spent repressing the Syrian people—and that Iran knew about it

From Gaza to Lebanon and Syria, this is the story of a year of tumult and surprise which has reshaped the region and echoed through global affairs. And Trump's return means more uncertainty ahead.