Autocratic regimes still in power, cracking down on dissent in Egypt and Syria, where thousands have died in custody and more harbor scant hopes of freedom

In Syria, Libya and Sudan, revolutionaries see national banners of the past as a way of showing their rejection of the regimes they wish to overthrow

Tehran's foreign ministry spokesman says no reports received on alleged killing of Muslim Shahdan on Syria-Iraq border

Iraqi security forces and local militias sources say Muslim Shahdan and three others died when their vehicle, carrying weapons, was hit just inside Syria after crossing from Iraq

Via its proxy Lebanese Hezbollah terror group, Tehran has all but succeeded in opening a second front against the Jewish state; in Gaza, Hamas wields coronavirus to deflect unrest

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says attack in Deir el-Zour province mainly targeted Pakistani gunmen; state media makes no immediate mention of any incident

Career diplomat Faisal Mekdad, a close ally to Syrian ruler, steps into position after death of Walid al-Moallem, who represented regime internationally amid civil war

Confidant of Assad served as envoy to US during Syria’s talks with Israel in 1990s; in 2006, he wished he could join Hezbollah fighting against Israel

Veteran diplomat James Jeffrey tells Defense One that his team played 'shell games' to hide the number of American soldiers in Syria following Trump's order to withdraw

After fleeing fighting and reluctant to enter overcrowded encampments, dozens brave the elements to settle among centuries-old ruins