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Sunday

In this photo provided by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad listens during the Arab summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 19, 2023.

In this photo provided by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad listens during the Arab summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 19, 2023. AP/Saudi Press Agency hide caption

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AP/Saudi Press Agency

World

In Syria, the Assads leave a bitter legacy after a half-century of repressive rule

President Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad, combined to rule Syria for more than 50 years, always with an iron fist that crushed dissent and relied on the country's feared security forces.

Wednesday

Sunday

More Than 300 Chemical Attacks Launched During Syrian Civil War, Study Says

A man walks amid rubble in the Syrian town of Douma in April 2018. A report out Sunday confirmed that a chemical attack early that month was one of hundreds since the start of the Syrian civil war. Hassan Ammar/AP hide caption

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Hassan Ammar/AP

World

More Than 300 Chemical Attacks Launched During Syrian Civil War, Study Says

Researchers say this number could be much higher, and that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime carried out 98 percent of them, dropping chlorine gas, sarin and sulfur mustard gas on civilians.

Saturday

How The Syrian Regime Keeps Winning Territory, From An Army Defector's Perspective

Syrian President Bashar Assad, center, speaks with Syrian troops in newly captured areas of eastern Ghouta, near the capital Damascus, Syria, Sunday. Al-Ikhbariya TV broadcast images of Assad surrounded by soldiers on a street in eastern Ghouta, where a Syrian offensive has been underway over the past month. It was not clear where in eastern Ghouta Assad was. Syrian presidency Facebook page via AP hide caption

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Syrian presidency Facebook page via AP

Parallels

How The Syrian Regime Keeps Winning Territory, From An Army Defector's Perspective

What's happening in eastern Ghouta shows parallels with earlier offensives, from siege to surrender, according to a soldier turned rebel leader.

Friday

Syrian Civilians Exposed To Sarin In April Attack, International Watchdog Says

Hassan Youssef, a 40-year-old victim of the April 4 chemical attack in Khan Shaykun, receives medical care in a hospital in the nearby Syrian city of Idlib in April. Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Syrian Civilians Exposed To Sarin In April Attack, International Watchdog Says

The finding is consistent with experts' suspicions. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons stopped short of saying who was responsible. The U.S. blames the Syrian regime.

Tuesday

6 Strongmen Trump Has Praised — And The Conflicts It Presents

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the combined fire demonstration of the services of the Korean People's Army in celebration of its 85th founding anniversary in a photo released on April 26. KCNA via KNS/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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KCNA via KNS/AFP/Getty Images

Analysis

Politics

6 Strongmen Trump Has Praised — And The Conflicts It Presents

From Egypt to the Philippines, the president's praise of despotic and brutal leaders is raising eyebrows. He also has potential business conflicts in or related to all of the countries.

Thursday

Turkey Says Autopsies Of Syrian Victims Show Evidence Of Sarin Exposure

Experts in Turkey did autopsies on Wednesday on Syrians killed Tuesday in Idlib. Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said results show they were subjected to chemical weapons in the attack by Syrian government forces. DHA-Depo Photos via AP hide caption

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DHA-Depo Photos via AP

The Two-Way

Turkey Says Autopsies Of Syrian Victims Show Evidence Of Sarin Exposure

Dozens of victims of Tuesday's attack were treated at a decontamination center across the border, and autopsies of the dead showed chemical weapons were used, the Turkish government says.

Tuesday

Logan Act Lingers For Others In Russia Probe, As All Eyes Look Up The Trump Ladder

Then-national security adviser Michael Flynn, senior adviser Jared Kushner and President Trump. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Now, the focus moves to what he told investigators. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Politics

Logan Act Lingers For Others In Russia Probe, As All Eyes Look Up The Trump Ladder

The White House says it is confident former national security adviser Michael Flynn said "nothing wrong or inappropriate" to the Russian ambassador. Releasing the transcript would help clear that up.

Sunday

Thursday

Wednesday

Parts Of Syria Vote In Parliamentary Elections That Critics Say Are A Sham

Syrian President Bashar Assad, flanked by his wife, Asma (left), casts his ballot in the parliamentary elections Wednesday in Damascus, Syria, in a photo released on the official Facebook page of Syrian presidency. AP hide caption

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AP

The Two-Way

Parts Of Syria Vote In Parliamentary Elections That Critics Say Are A Sham

In government-held areas, citizens queued up to cast ballots Wednesday. The vote, which coincides with the start of peace talks in Geneva, is expected to usher in an assembly loyal to the president.

Friday

U.N. Passes Resolution Urging Political Settlement In Syria

The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution endorsing a peace process for Syria including a cease-fire and talks between the Damascus government and the opposition. Bebeto Matthews/AP hide caption

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Bebeto Matthews/AP

The Two-Way

U.N. Passes Resolution Urging Political Settlement In Syria

The resolution does not explicitly address the contentious issue of Syrian President Bashar Assad's future in the government. It aims for an end to fighting and a focus on defeating ISIS.

Wednesday

Syrian President Assad And Russia's Putin Meet In Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar Assad in the Kremlin. Assad was in Moscow, in his first known trip abroad since the war broke out in Syria in 2011, to meet his strongest ally Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Alexei Druzhinin/AP hide caption

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Alexei Druzhinin/AP

World

Syrian President Assad And Russia's Putin Meet In Moscow

Bashar Assad traveled to Moscow in his first known trip abroad since the war broke out in Syria in 2011, to meet his strongest ally Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Thursday

Wednesday

Who Are Syria's Friends And Why Are They Supporting Assad?

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, in Moscow on Dec. 19, 2006. Russia --€” along with China and Iran --€” has remained a steadfast ally of Assad amid calls for international intervention in Syria. Mikhail Klimentyev/AP hide caption

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Mikhail Klimentyev/AP

Parallels

Who Are Syria's Friends And Why Are They Supporting Assad?

Russia, China and Iran are Syrian President Bashar Assad's closest allies. The reasons for their support of his government vary, ranging from trade and strategy to a fear of instability if Assad is toppled.