Once part of the elite, the fortunes of the country's 'third nationality' have fallen. Politically sidelined for supporting Turkey, Iraq's Turkmen have had enough and are now starting to leave.
The Iraqi PM and Joe Biden stuck to the script, emphasising economic opportunities. No one mentioned US troop withdrawal, but Baghdad's tense relations with Iraqi Kurds did come up.
After the euphoria of liberation has worn off, Syrians are now confronted with the daunting task of a country ripped apart by a decade-long war. It will be a long road, but people are hopeful.
Uncle Zezo, Uncle Mickey, and Dr Alloush perform in displacement shelters and hospitals, striving to restore fragments of a joy last felt in 2023. Al Majalla meets them.