Reporter's Notebook: Chronicling the Assad regime from death of the father to defeat of the son

The dramatic and historic scenes coming out of Syria this week are a reminder of the horrors that country has been through in the last several decades. We were there for some key moments in recent history:

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square to celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Ba'ath Party rule in Damascus, Syria, on December 9, 2024.

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square to celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Ba’ath Party rule in Damascus, Syria, on December 9, 2024. (Murat Sengul/Anadolu via Getty Images)

This week we got in touch with one of our important contacts in Syria during those times. He wrote, in an email, some pretty salient words: “It’s an extraordinary moment . . . so far so good.” The people of Syria are exulting over the end of a dictatorship. They are returning to homes they had been forced out of by fighting. They search feverishly, sometimes with joy, or with desperation, in prisons where their fellow citizens were incarcerated and tortured. A half million people have been killed in the last 13 years. Millions are injured and displaced. The economy is a disaster.

But my friend also went on to write, “I am a bit cautious about what may come . . . and fill the vacuum.” The HTS group which led this uprising had former ties with Al-Qaeda and is still on the U.S. terror list. Its leader, Ahmad al-Sharar, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, was a dyed-in-the-wool jihadist and has only in recent years transformed. He and the group, so far, have been talking a good line. Still, there are many factions, religious sects, and splinter groups who will all have to work together if a new free Syria is to be realized. A tall order. For the proud people of the country who we’ve come to know over the years, it is absolutely worth a try.

You May Also Like
Multimillion-dollar luxury yacht sinks off Miami Beach, 32 passengers rescued

Rescue operation saves 32 passengers after multimillion-dollar luxury yacht sinks near Miami Beach

Thirty-two passengers were rescued Saturday evening after a multimillion-dollar luxury yacht started…
Army pauses helicopter training flights around Pentagon after 2 disruptions to commercial flights last week

“Army Halts Helicopter Training Flights Near Pentagon Following Disruptions to Commercial Flights”

The Army has paused all helicopter training flights around the Pentagon near…
‘The Rehearsal’ Season 2 Episode 3 is Nathan Fielder at His Most Incredibly Insane: Captain Sully, Evanescence, and Breastfeeding Puppets

“Nathan Fielder Goes Wild in Season 2 Episode 3 of ‘The Rehearsal’: Featuring Captain Sully, Evanescence, and Breastfeeding Puppets”

When you turn on a show written, produced, and starring Nathan Fielder,…
‘MobLand’ Episode 6 Recap: This Means War

Recap of Episode 6 of ‘MobLand’: Brace for Battle

I genuinely sympathize with Richie Stevenson. How could you not feel for…
Illegal immigrant released by Biden admin pleads not guilty to murder of Georgia grandmother

Unauthorized immigrant released by Biden administration pleads not guilty to murder of Georgia grandmother

The 21-year-old Honduran national accused of killing a Georgia grandmother waived his…
‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Season 4 Ending Explained: What In the Heaven And Hell Just Happened In The Series Finale?

Understanding the Season 4 Ending of ‘The Righteous Gemstones’: Breaking Down the Shocking Conclusion of the Show

Wait, is this The Sopranos or The Righteous Gemstones? **Spoiler alert for…
DePaul University policy would require those wearing masks, face coverings to remove them upon request after Jewish student attack

DePaul University policy mandates mask-wearers to take off face coverings upon request following an attack on Jewish student

CHICAGO (WLS) — DePaul University has implemented a new “identification verification” policy…
MGM Grand’s Palm Tree Beach Club opening: Sydney Sweeney, MGK, more

Grand Opening of MGM Grand’s Palm Tree Beach Club featuring Sydney Sweeney, Machine Gun Kelly, and others

Palm Tree Beach Club had its grand opening at the MGM Grand…
Baby-faced gangsters beat cops in NYC | Reporter Replay

Young Criminals Defeat Police in New York City – Reporter’s Recap

Baby-faced gangsters beat cops in NYC | Reporter Replay (Video) | New…
High school tennis star killed by alleged drunk driver weeks before graduation

Tragic Loss: High School Tennis Standout’s Life Cut Short by Suspected Drunk Driver

A high school student in Southern California was killed on Sunday after…
Gorgeous $25m Florida Keys mansion where you can arrive by air, land or water

Luxurious $25 million mansion in Florida Keys accessible by air, land, or water

A sprawling Florida Keys mansion has gone up for sale, and it includes…
Tiffany Trump's father-in-law learns embarrassing reality of his role in president's admin

The father of Tiffany Trump’s husband discovers inconvenient truth about his involvement in the president’s administration.

Tiffany Trump’s father-in-law has apparently not realized his job in the president’s…