Could even Putin be toppled? Syrians around the world are celebrating the fall of the Assad regime. Some hope this triumph may have a domino effect for other autocrats.
Assad’s fall sparks rumours of change
Toppling: In a rare public criticism one Russian defence expert writes this morning: “Syria is a colossal geopolitical defeat and the end of our military presence in the Middle East — for which we have fought so hard for the last nine years.” Glossary
Dictator - A ruler who has total power, and has often taken power by force.
Bashar al-Assad - The president of Syria since 2000. He fled to Russia with his family in 2024.
Ceasefire - An end to fighting — often temporary.
Arab Spring - A series of mass protests across the Arab World against dictatorships that had stood for decades. In Tunisia, the protesters succeeded in creating a democratic government, but many other countries collapsed into civil war or experienced new dictatorships.
Civil war - A war between people from the same country.
Autocrat - A leader who rules by force and with absolute power, without the permission of others.
Chemical weapons - Toxic chemicals used deliberately to harm people.
Militias - A militia is an informal armed group operating independently of the state.
Extortion - The illegal act of getting something from somebody through force or threats.
Islamist - An advocate of Islamic fundamentalism. Often used in the West to describe those who believe in imposing Sharia (Islamic law) on societies.
Al-Qaeda - The terrorist organisation was set up in 1988 by Osama bin Laden and other Arab volunteers fighting in the Soviet-Afghan War.
Druze - A small Middle Eastern religious group. They mostly identify as Arab and speak Arabic. Their faith grew out of Islam in the 11th Century but also includes elements of Hinduism and other philosophies.
Alawites - An ancient Muslim sect mostly found in Syria. Syria's ruling family since 1971, the Assads, are Alawites, which made the community politically dominant.
Sectarian - Denoting or concerning a sect or sects.