The Syrian television station, Umayyad Square, Damascus, Jan. 8, 2025. (Credit: Caroline Hayek/L'Orient-Le Jour)
The dismantling of Assad’s kingdom began at 8 a.m. on Dec. 8. In the state television studio, nine figures stood solemnly as a rebel from Deraa delivered the first press release: the announcement of the regime’s fall. This is how revolutions are cemented — by seizing control of the media.Outside the Syrian State Television building, visitors now tread over two portraits of Bashar al-Assad plastered on the floor before entering. Even a month later, the ritual still amuses the two young Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters stationed as guards. The revolutionary flag now flutters atop the stark concrete structure, whose front has been "embellished" with glass meant to evoke New York skyscrapers, a veneer concealing its decay. Read more ‘The Syrian gulag was primarily aimed at demobilizing political society’ The Information Ministry...
The dismantling of Assad’s kingdom began at 8 a.m. on Dec. 8. In the state television studio, nine figures stood solemnly as a rebel from Deraa delivered the first press release: the announcement of the regime’s fall. This is how revolutions are cemented — by seizing control of the media.Outside the Syrian State Television building, visitors now tread over two portraits of Bashar al-Assad plastered on the floor before entering. Even a month later, the ritual still amuses the two young Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters stationed as guards. The revolutionary flag now flutters atop the stark concrete structure, whose front has been "embellished" with glass meant to evoke New York skyscrapers, a veneer concealing its decay. Read more ‘The Syrian gulag was primarily aimed at demobilizing political society’ The Information...