Syria

Using information from well-placed sources both in Syria and outside, Al Majalla pieces together events in those 11 momentous days that toppled Bashar al-Assad's regime, shaking Syria and the region

Better than any simulator, multiple conflicts throughout the war-torn region are proving to be a boon for the testing and showcasing of weapons, and the battle-hardening of fighters

Geir Pedersen is no stranger to Middle East hotspots, but for six years his mission in Syria was frustrated by the Assad regime. With Assad gone, the priorities are stability and inclusivity, he says

Al Majalla lays out the long and often chaotic array of leaders, military coups, and governing systems that Syria has gone through in the past century

Assad's fall means Iran loses its contiguous land corridor. Without it, 'Axis of Resistance' forces will find it difficult to work together. Meanwhile, Iran's ally, Russia, looks to be on its way out.

Regime change brings an opportunity to raise living standards, which have collapsed along with the national currency and years of war. The transition of power will be key.

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.

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

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

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