Bashar al-Assad is in the news after losing power in Syria’s ongoing chaos; he’s been president since 2000, a former doctor turned dictator.
In early March 2026, Syria facilitated a prisoner exchange in Suweida, releasing 61 Druze detainees in return for 25 government personnel held by Druze militias. The swap, overseen by the Red Cross, signals ongoing efforts to stabilize the region amid continued tensions and unresolved conflicts.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Jordan, focusing on humanitarian efforts. They met refugees, children evacuated from Gaza, and supported health and food aid initiatives, including the WHO and World Central Kitchen. The trip highlights ongoing regional crises and aid efforts.
Recent clashes in northeastern Syria led to mass escapes from al-Hol and Roj camps housing suspected IS families. Syrian forces took control after Kurdish-led SDF withdrew, raising security concerns. Australia’s detained nationals remain unreturned amid political tensions. The situation highlights regional instability and ongoing risks of IS resurgence.
Israeli forces have intensified their military operations in southern Syria, including Quneitra and Daraa, since December 2024. Recent incursions involve arrests, land seizures, and military presence, with Israel claiming the 1974 disengagement agreement is no longer valid. Syria condemns these actions as illegal and violations of international law. The situation remains tense.
As of March 11, 2026, the US and Israel have launched airstrikes in Iran, killing Supreme Leader Khamenei and top officials. The Trump administration is actively discussing arming Iranian Kurdish militias based in Iraqi Kurdistan to open a ground front in western Iran. Kurdish groups, with thousands of fighters, seek US support to weaken Iran’s military and possibly spark wider uprisings, though risks of regional destabilization remain high.
Recent stories highlight ongoing conflicts over land use, including efforts to define genuine farming in Hawai'i, land preservation in Michigan, and Australian national parks' private tourism projects. These issues reflect broader debates on conservation, development, and public access, with significant implications for ecosystems and communities.
A 58-year-old man, now residing in the UK, faces charges of murder, torture, and crimes against humanity linked to his role in suppressing protests in Syria's Damascus suburb in 2011. This marks the first time such charges are brought under UK law for international crimes committed abroad.
Lebanon has opened discussions for direct talks with Israel to end the fighting sparked by Hezbollah’s March 2 attack and Israel’s subsequent strikes. Beirut has begun appointing a negotiating delegation, while regional tensions and displacement continue to rise amid calls for an international, monitored ceasefire.
British authorities have charged Salem al-Salem, a former Syrian Air Force Intelligence colonel, with war crimes including murder and torture related to 2011 protests in Damascus. He appeared via video with a breathing tube due to illness. This marks the first UK prosecution of its kind for crimes against humanity committed abroad.
Hezbollah has launched a significant escalation against Israel, following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader. The group, backed by Iran, is operating in small units, avoiding vulnerable communication, and engaging in ongoing hostilities. Israel has responded with air strikes and troop movements, amid regional tensions.
As of late March 2026, Iranian Kurdish groups based in Iraq remain cautious about launching a ground offensive into Iran despite ongoing U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian Kurdistan. These Kurdish factions seek political autonomy and regime change in Iran but demand U.S. guarantees such as a no-fly zone. Displaced Iranian Kurds in Iraq live with limited rights, hoping for safe return if Iran's government changes.
The Damascus governorate announced a measure limiting alcohol sales to Christian-majority neighborhoods, citing public morals. The move has sparked protests and criticism over sectarian implications and social division, with authorities clarifying it is a regulatory decision based on previous laws. Critics warn it risks deepening sectarian tensions.
Multiple sources indicate that the US has discussed with Syria the possibility of a cross-border operation aimed at disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon. The idea, first considered last year, has gained renewed attention amid ongoing tensions following recent clashes between Iran-backed forces and Israel. Syria remains hesitant, citing risks of regional instability.
The UN has documented over 1,700 deaths and nearly 200,000 displaced in a week of violence in Syria's Druze-majority Suweida in July 2025. The report highlights widespread violations by government forces, Druze armed groups, and Bedouin clans, raising concerns of war crimes and systematic attacks on civilians.
Recent clashes in Syria highlight ongoing sectarian tensions. Sunni attackers targeted Christian and Alawite communities in Suqaylabiyah, while violence also erupted in Qalaat Madiq. The incidents reflect unresolved grievances and security weaknesses, with communities demanding accountability and protection. The violence underscores Syria's fragile sectarian balance, more than a year after regime change.
Pro-Palestinian protests in Syria have targeted the UAE embassy, with demonstrators chanting anti-Israel slogans and attempting to storm the diplomatic mission. The Syrian government condemned the incident, and the UAE called for Syria to secure its diplomatic missions following the unrest. The protests follow regional tensions over recent Israeli legislation and the UAE's normalization with Israel.
As of April 2026, Ukraine has signed long-term defense cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to share expertise in countering Iranian drone and missile attacks. Ukrainian President Zelensky has also met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss regional security and food cooperation. Gulf states are diversifying arms suppliers due to unsustainable costs and delays with US defense systems.
A 58-year-old Syrian man, Rafiq al Q., is on trial in The Hague, accused of being a member of the pro-Assad National Defence Force and involved in torture during Syria's civil war. He denies the allegations, claiming conspiracy and innocence. The case highlights ongoing efforts to prosecute war crimes under universal jurisdiction.
Ukrainian forces have publicly confirmed their involvement in operations using domestically produced interceptor drones against Iranian Shahed drones in several countries. Zelenskyy states this support aims to help partner nations strengthen their air defenses amid ongoing regional conflicts, with Ukraine also receiving weapons and financial aid in return.
A French court has found Lafarge, now owned by Holcim, guilty of financing armed groups during the Syrian civil war. The company paid millions to jihadist groups between 2013 and 2014 to keep its factory in northern Syria operational. It has been ordered to pay fines and confiscate assets, and its former CEO has been sentenced to six years in prison. This follows a 2022 US case where Lafarge pleaded guilty to supporting terrorist organizations with a $778 million fine. The court's ruling highlights the company's direct payments to jihadist groups, which helped them control Syrian resources and finance attacks abroad. Lafarge's ongoing legal issues include allegations of crimes against humanity and sanctions breaches.
Protesters in Syria have gathered to demand economic and political reforms, calling for better living conditions and rights. Clashes have erupted between protesters and counter-protesters, with security forces intervening. The protest reflects ongoing economic struggles and political tensions in the country.
U.S. forces have completed the handover of major military sites in Syria to the Syrian government, following a deal with Kurdish-led forces and the Syrian regime. The withdrawal marks a shift in regional military presence, with Syria now assuming full control of former U.S. bases. The U.S. continues to support counterterrorism efforts without maintaining permanent outposts.
Israel has continued to expand settlements in the West Bank, approving over 100 new or re-established sites in 2026. This includes plans to restore evacuated settlements like Sa-Nur and Ganim, with settlers crossing into Syria's Golan Heights. The moves are increasing tensions and restricting Palestinian movement.
Oil shipments from Russia have surged in 2026, making Moscow Syria’s dominant crude supplier after Assad’s fall. The move underscores Damascus’s economic constraints and Moscow’s growing influence in a country with two Russian bases, while Western sanctions continue to complicate global supply chains.
Syria has begun public trials of former regime officials accused of war crimes, starting with Atif Najib, former head of political security in Daraa. Amjad Youssef, linked to a 2013 massacre in Tadamon, was arrested in Hama after a security operation. Trials will also target Wassim al-Assad and pilots involved in bombing campaigns. These actions follow the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and aim to deliver transitional justice.
Atef Najib, a former Syrian security official, has appeared in court to face charges related to crimes against the Syrian people. The trial follows the 2011 protests that sparked Syria's civil war, with Najib being the only defendant present. The case marks a significant step in transitional justice efforts.
Transitional justice proceedings have begun in Damascus, as figures linked to Assad’s regime face trials in absentia and in-court appearances. Prosecutors say the process is a cornerstone of accountability after years of repression and violence in the civil war.
Syria has named Abdul Hamid Raslan as central bank governor, replacing Abdul Qadir al-Hasriya, who will become ambassador to Canada. Raslan, a longtime banker and former head of the Syrian Development Fund, inherits a system seeking to reconnect with global finance after a period of sanctions and upheaval. The move follows a wider government reshuffle announced by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
A former head of political security in Syria’s Daraa province has denied war-crime charges at his ongoing trial in Damascus, claiming other security agencies are responsible for abuses. The case, part of Syria’s return-to-justice phase since Assad-era officials face trial, has drawn international attention and raised questions about fair process under a reformed judiciary.
BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi have highlighted reforms to global governance while wrestling with divisions over the Israel–Hamas war, Iran and Gulf dynamics. India has chaired the talks, with Iran and the UAE on opposing sides of the conflict. A joint statement on Gaza remains elusive as the bloc seeks a unified stance.