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
R.I.P. Ed Gale: ‘Child’s Play’ Star Who Played Chucky Dead At 61

Sad News: Actor Ed Gale, Known for Playing Chucky in ‘Child’s Play’, Passes Away at 61

Actor Ed Gale, who is best known for playing the killer doll…
Karen Read defense grills crash expert over $400K price tag and experimentation methods

Karen’s defense team questions crash expert about high costs and testing methods

Karen Read’s defense team attempted to dismantle the credibility of a crash…
FBI's Kash Patel vows 'you're going to know everything we know' about Trump assassination attempt

Kash Patel of the FBI promises to reveal all information regarding the attempted assassination of Trump

FBI Director Kash Patel has pledged transparency as the public continues to…
2 people arrested in connection with hit-and-run jet ski incident that killed 18-year-old in Grapevine, Texas

“Two Arrested in Hit-and-Run Jet Ski Accident Resulting in Teen’s Death in Grapevine, Texas”

GRAPEVINE, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities have detained a suspect in connection with…
Seven migrants drown as boat capsizes at Spain's Canary Islands dock

Tragedy strikes as seven migrants die in boat accident at Canary Islands dock in Spain

Four women and three girls tragically lost their lives in a devastating…
Brazilian beatboxing nun Sisters Marizele Cassiano and Marisa de Paula go viral after Catholic TV appearance

Nun Sisters Marizele Cassiano and Marisa de Paula from Brazil gain popularity online following their beatboxing performance on Catholic TV

SAO PAULO — Two Brazilian nuns have gone viral after dropping an…
WNBA news: Chicago Sky to retire Candace Parker's No. 3 jersey

Chicago Sky to Honor Candace Parker by Retiring Jersey Number 3

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Sky plan to retire Candace Parker’s No.…
Todd Chrisley appears in VERY bizarre video with MAGA Barbie daughter on freedom ride home from jail after Trump pardon

Todd Chrisley seen in extremely strange video with daughter wearing MAGA hat on a ride back home after being pardoned by Trump.

Todd Chrisley quickly embraced being a reality TV personality again shortly after…
Human remains found in sunken boat bring closure to Texas family's Alaska tragedy

Discovery of human remains in submerged vessel brings comfort to Texas family following Alaskan tragedy

Almost 10 months after a Texas family’s boat capsized off the coast…
CTA news: Cook County judge orders Rayvon Savary detained after Chicago shooting through Red Line subway grates on State in Loop

Judge Orders Detention of Rayvon Savary following Chicago Shooting near Red Line Subway Grates on State Street in the Loop

CHICAGO (WLS) — The man accused of firing bullets upward through a…
Comedy, common sense, creativity: New book 'Wow, You Look Terrible! How to Parent Less and Live More' offers laughs with lessons

New book “Wow, You Look Terrible! How to Be a Better Parent and Enjoy Life” combines humor, practical advice, and creativity to help you lighten up and savor the moments.

HOLLYWOOD — Danny Ricker is a behind-the-scenes star at “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”…
Duffy urges Senate to pass Big Beautiful Bill's $12.5B air traffic system fix

Duffy encourages Senate to approve $12.5 billion for the overhaul of air traffic system in Big Beautiful Bill

During a speech at the Transportation Department, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized…