A year on from the ousting of Assad

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  Damascus, Syria — “Hold your head high, you’re a free Syrian.” The refrain of this Arabic song—now widely embraced as the unofficial anthem of a new Syria—echoes throughout Damascus. It blares from market loudspeakers, rings out during celebrations in the central square, and is even sung by the man offering traditional coffee to new arrivals at the airport. For decades, many Syrians lived with lowered gazes under the authoritarian rule of the Al-Assad family. The regime maintained an expansive surveillance system in which the feared Mukhabarat , the intelligence network, kept the population in check. Remaining silent was often the safest choice—until the Arab Spring ignited an uprising, and Assad’s fierce response plunged the nation into a ten-year civil war. Today, Syrians are openly and energetically marking the first anniversary of what they regard as their liberation from Assad’s government. The celebration follows a rapid rebel offensive on December 8 last year, led by fo...

The Take: As Palestinians return to ruins, will Trump’s ceasefire hold?

 

Palestinians are returning to Gaza City to find devastation: no homes, no electricity, and no family, just days into a new ceasefire that ended two years of genocide. Now, just a few days after announcing a plan to end the war, US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the area. There is optimism, but there are still questions. Specifically, will this agreement hold? In the Best Daily Podcast category of the Signal Awards, The Take is up for a nomination. You can assist us in winning the listeners' vote while we await the decisions of the judges.

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