President Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad, combined to rule Syria for more than 50 years, always with an iron fist that crushed dissent and relied on the country's feared security forces.
The Syrian government collapsed early Sunday, as rebels seized control of the capital Damascus. Deposed President Bashar al-Assad was granted asylum by Russia, according to state-run Tass news.
Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Donald Trump to Paris on Saturday with a full a dose of presidential pomp as the two men resumed the relationship they established during Trump's first term.
Conflict between the Syrian government and rebel groups is raising uncertainty in the region. But in the chaos, some are optimistic about the possible release of American journalist Austin Tice.