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  • Politics
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  • Syria

A Syrian woman holds a picture of President Bashar al-Assad as other protestors fly Palestinian and Syrian flags during a demonstration to mark Land Day in Damascus on March 30, 2012. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

The Assads were phony champions of the Palestinian cause

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.

Majed Kayali 14 December 2024
Members of Russian and Syrian forces at the Abu Al-Duhur crossing on the eastern edge of Idlib province on August 20, 2018. AFP

How the fall of Assad has been a strategic loss for Russia

Russia's claim of being a steadfast guarantor of security for allies has been dented, which could affect its expansion into Africa and Latin America and strain its ties with Central Asian countries

Samer Elias 14 December 2024
Former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and his counterpart Elias Hrawi during their meeting in Damascus on March 14, 1998. AFP

Assad's fall could put Lebanon and Syria on divergent paths

The end of Assad's rule also means the end of his influence in Lebanon, and Lebanese politicians who served the interests of Damascus for decades could see their power drastically curtailed

Houssam Itani 13 December 2024
A woman inspects the cells of the famous Sednaya prison north of Damascus after the fall of the Assad regime.
 AP/Hussein Malla

Blood-curdling tales emerge from Assad's torture dungeons

Unravelling the horrors perpetrated in the darkest corners of Syria's prisons is chilling, nauseating, and crucial to understanding how this infernal machinery came into being—and continued operating

Samer Abou Hawwach 13 December 2024
Subhi Barakat was elected as the Syrian Union's first president—a notable from Antioch who had served as MP in Syria’s first parliament, known as the Syrian National Congress of 1919. Wikipedia

The short-lived Syrian federalism experiment of 1922

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

Sami Moubayed 12 December 2024
The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Abdulaziz KETAZ / AFP

What needs to happen to rebuild Syria

Early signs are good, but in this crucial map-drawing transition period, there are some important lessons to be learnt and some understandable urges to be quashed if civil war is to be avoided

Omer Onhon 12 December 2024

Regional events shift focus from Gaza

Fares Garabet 12 December 2024
Rebel forces shoot in the air as they celebrate in the central Syrian city of Homs early on December 8, 2024. Aref TAMMAWI / AFP

Is Syria heading for a bright new beginning or an even darker future?

Syrians are rejoicing over the overthrow of a despised dictator, but it could still be some time before they genuinely reap the benefits of liberation. The coming months will be telling.

Con Coughlin 11 December 2024
People hold a large Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 9, 2024. Omar HAJ KADOUR / AFP

The history of Syria's not-so-new flag

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.

Sami Moubayed 11 December 2024
An Iranian man reads a newspaper with a picture of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Tehran, Iran December 8, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/Reuters

Syria and the future of Iran

If it's not careful, Tehran could soon experience what their Syrian client just did: the sudden implosion of a rotten regime 

Frederic C. Hof 10 December 2024
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Matt Murphy
Business & Economy

The skyrocketing cost of Epic Fury

19 March 2026

From military spending to energy markets, the US-Israeli war on Iran is driving rising costs, with the Strait of Hormuz emerging as a central pressure point

Thuraya Shahin
Sara Gironi Carnevale
Politics

US public opinion is decisively shifting against Israel

20 March 2026

Until fairly recently, most Americans sided with Israel. These days, most side with the Palestinians. That will eventually influence US foreign policy.

Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy
Pete Reynolds
Business & Economy

Energy infrastructure attacks and the new security imperative

17 March 2026

By attacking Gulf energy infrastructure, Iran aims to apply economic and geopolitical pressure as a way to avoid large-scale conflict

Jessica Obeid
A member of the security forces, holding a picture of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, observes protesters as they gather for a rally in support of the new Supreme Leader in Enghelab Square in Tehran, on 9 March 2026. Getty/ Al Majalla
Politics

Decapitation strikes unlikely to topple Iran's regime

18 March 2026

Instead of taking down the Islamic Republic, what the assassinations have done is harden public support and accelerate the regime's militarisation

Alex Vatanka
Lina Jaradat
Business & Economy

Strait of Hormuz: the waterway critical to global trade 

18 March 2026

Any disruption in the Hormuz has cascading knock-on effects that extend far beyond energy markets, impacting international trade. Al Majalla explores all this and more.

Al Majalla - London

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OPINIONS

How trauma leaves a lasting imprint on the brain

Alaa Emara

Joe Kent: the US counter-terrorism chief who resigned over Iran war

Kamal Alam
Kamal Alam

Damascus alcohol ban bodes badly for Syria’s transition

Haid Haid
Haid Haid

The skyrocketing cost of Epic Fury

Thuraya Shahin
Thuraya Shahin
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