What's happened
Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has officially ended following his abrupt departure to Russia. This marks a significant turning point after 13 years of civil war, which resulted in over 580,000 deaths and millions displaced. Asma al-Assad and their children fled alongside him, highlighting the regime's collapse.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Guardian's Zoe Williams notes that Assad's regime was marked by brutality, stating, 'He never looked the type,' reflecting on the disconnect between Assad's public persona and his actions. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post highlights Asma al-Assad's transformation from a symbol of hope to a figure associated with oppression, emphasizing the irony of her Vogue profile published just as the regime's violence escalated. This contrast illustrates the complexities of public perception versus reality in authoritarian regimes.
How we got here
The Syrian civil war began in 2011 after peaceful protests against Assad's government were met with violent repression. Over the years, the conflict escalated, leading to widespread devastation and international condemnation of Assad's actions.
More on these topics
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Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.
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Bashar Hafez al-Assad is a Syrian politician who has been the President of Syria since 17 July 2000. In addition, he is commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and Regional Secretary of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party's branch in Syria.
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Vogue is an American monthly fashion and lifestyle magazine covering many topics including fashion, beauty, culture, living, and runway based in New York City.